I had a very severe case in my right arm about 20 years ago that I treated with non-surgical methods.
It took me about 6 months and I continued to use my arm for work all during the treatment, but very carefully...I had to be careful not to aggravate the injury, and even though I was extremely careful, I set back the treatment time on more than a few occasions by not giving 100% rest. One shouldn't really use an injured part, because it has to rest to heal, but fast-forward to now, 20 years later I am absolutely at 100.00%!
My GF had both wrists surgically done a few years ago, separately, and she was out of work for several months, and had to go on disability both times.
She is mostly ok now, but on one of her wrists, the doctor acknowledged that he nicked the nerve, so one of her hands has slight permanent numbness in a few fingers.
That's a common side effect.
