The only time my hands, fingers would go numb was when i drove or held a book ! at night i would wake up and i didnt have arms or thats how it felt , then the pain would be in shoulders and elbows really bad , the surgury cleans the build up cartlege from rep. from work and releaved all presure on all the nerves may arms and hands are perfect now except for a little arthritis. I know how you are feeling and this simple operation fixed me ! Dale