I am 44 male. No other joints giving me trouble.

I went to an orthopedist and they did the x-ray and ordered the Wikipedia reference-linkMRI study. Both within the last month. I said "clean" but they did say I had a very minor thickening of a tendon on that same hand...but the Dr. didn't think it was anything of concern.

The pain started in April of this year. The evening before I was at the gym doing some stellar pullups (3 sets of 20) and some bench press. I'm 5'10" and weigh 155. The next morning when I awoke my finger hurt badly. I ignored it for about 2 weeks, then went to see my nurse practitioner. She wrapped it up in a splint and gave me some IA cream. Didn't work. In fact, the immobility made the whole finger swell up. I gave it a few more weeks then went to see the ortho. He did the x-ray there, and then gave me a shot of cortizone in the knuckle. Painful shot...but it helped. In fact, no pain at all for about 5 months. Then recently it came back.

I do have several bulging cervical discs that do cause minor neck pain in my left trap (opposite side to this right middle finger issue). I asked that question specifically to the Dr. and he said he didn't think it was related since it was in a single joint and didn't radiate anywhere else.

My 1/2 brother has RA. I asked that question as well. He said he didn't see any evidence of RA (or any other arthritis) since I had no other related symptoms and it was affecting only the single joint. He said he thought I just injured it in my activities (gym doing pull ups, lifting, mountain biking, etc.) I suppose I may have been doing more than my middle aged body can handle...at times perhaps.

What kind of blood work are you recommending? I don't mind asking for it from my family doctor, but he's very conservative and frowns on info gathered from the web. So I'd have to bring him compelling reason to order the bloodwork.

Thanks for your thoughts on this!