This board continues to be a magnificent well of information and support.  I truly appreciate all your responses.  Bless each of you who took the time to share. 

My finger is healing, slowly but surely, however the odds of me being able to point perfectly straight are low unless I’m willing to allow a surgical pin to be inserted for 6 weeks -- which I’m not.  (I’m too busy chasing my little boys around, and there’s no guarantee the painful procedure would work, anyway.) 

I’ve started taking the glucosamine combination suggested by Megan, and so far so good.  I won’t really know anything for a few months, but at least I feel like I’m being proactive.  I hope everyone is having a nice day --

Warmly, Eric