Marc,
I can vouch for that carpal tunnel surgery not being the cure-all.
I have known several folks who had the surgery and seemed to heal completely....(or at least enough to go back to work and not complain ) but it sure wasn't a success for me.
True it did take away the severe "night attacks" as I called them....where I would wake up in the night with my hand in severe pain...and have to clench and unclench my fist until the nerve re-awakened. (it's not a matter of blood flow...it's a matter of the nerve being squeezed or pinched )
I was always just a so-so guitarist before the surgery....and some of the things I never learned to do back then are certainly out of the question now. I just don't have the strength in my fingers anymore. barchords are extremely out of the question.

I've had a few folks through the years say that I'm a good guitarist (one called me a great picker even though I only strummed) and I honestly don't know who they were listening to. LOL
I can hold my own at an open mic...or a strictly folk venue....but unless I want to bring back the pain and numbness full throttle... I'll never be great. In fact I capo most of my songs...and when I play with a group sans capo....I go home with a sore left hand.
(and the Washington State Workman's comp board says I'm only 5% disabled in each hand. mad

but that's another rant I don't want to get into

Harriet
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=24419

http://cdbaby.com/cd/ames

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkGHmJQ-ODU