Brian really sounds like you have carpal tunnel in your hands / wrists. If that is it and the doctor says about the surgery , go for it .
Mona had to have both of hers done ( not at same time ) she could hardly hold a fork sometimes , it would just fall out of her hands .
Pain so bad some times I would see her slamming fists onto table to try and stop the pain.
Its been a few years now and her hands /wrists are still doing fantastic.
Her problem was also mostly from playing hand held video games .
David