I waited 10-15 yrs before I had the surgery. Slept in braces nightly and still had pain at times. Had surgery done on one hand on Friday, went back to work typing on Monday. Piece of cake. Scheduled other hand surgery the day I had sutures removed from first hand. Another piece of cake. I would not wait like I did to get it done. You can have permanent nerve damage. Hunt around for the BEST hand surgeon in your area. I have not regreted the surgery once.