7 years for me since my surgery and I tried to get more than two weeks off (I taught Kindergarten)but the surgeon said no way! Two weeks was long enough for a teacher to be off. My family doctor was horrified... He though I was risking a lot to be back tugging on winter boots and zipping stubborn zippers for 5 year olds. He made me stay off three extra weeks. Surgery was totally worth it! Left hand has never gotten bad... knock on wood!