3 years ago I used pain medication 24/7 and was diagnosed with slac wrists(both). I modified my activities, mostly due to retirement from hand intensive work. My activity level is now based on how much of a pain hit I whish to endure.

I now seem to be maintaining a low level of pain and use very few pain meds weekly, maybe Aleve twice.

Can I have the expectation of this continued low level pain or will my wrists degenerate further and the intense pain return. I am 59 years old BTW.
FYI, 3 years ago surgery and total wrist fusion were recommended as salvage option. At that time I was miserable, I would have had the surgery but had no insurance or money for it. Today because of a L&I settlement, surgery is back on the table for a short time period. Is it prudent to have it done now. I will not have the funds later.