Hi there!
Your doctor's considerations on what might be causing your pain are all valid and reasonable. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause some fingers to go numb and go painful. The ulnar nerve, like what bhups1 mentioned is also a consideration since the ring and little fingers are the one's being supplied by this nerve. The ulnar nerve can be compressed at different points including the spine, axilla, 1st rib, or at the elbow area.
I agree that a neurosurgical consult may be warranted after you had your MRI. I hope this annoying condition leave you soon. Be sure to get a good explanation with every doctor that you've made consult to.
God bless and regards...
Hi, probably this is ulnar nerve entrapment at the level of elbow joint which is causing numbness. Please get yourself investigated for that and do consult neurosurgeon.
“Compression at the elbow, known as cubital tunnel syndrome, causes numbness in the small finger, half of the ring finger, and the back half of the hand over the small finger. Initially, the numbness is transient and usually occurs in the middle of the night or in the morning. Most cases will be minor and tend to come and go with time. Common causes are sleeping with the arm folded up, so the hand is at the person's neck and the elbow is sharply bent. These people frequently wake up with tingling in the fingers, because the nerve has been pinched or squeezed while asleep”. Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_nerve_entrapment