Mostly I'm just blogging this for my own records, but I thought I'd put it out there in case anyone has a stellar idea. I woke up this morning with a very sore knuckle (base of my right forefinger). It hurt even when I wasn't moving my hand. Eventually I got up and moving, and it didn't bother me. When I got to work I started checking email and it started hurting again. Dr Google says the joint is an MCP joint which is more common in rhuematoid arthritis than in degenerative, but I don't have any symptoms of either except for this one joint with occasional pain. For which I'm thankful, because 30 is way too young for arthritis.

If it keeps hurting I'm going to take some ibuprofen. I'd rather treat this with something topical and specific, but I don't have anything available to me right now. Massage does not help. I guess I could put my microwave heatpad on it if the knuckle gets really bad, but right now I'm doing ok.

Edited to add: I mentioned this to my doctor a month or two ago, and she checked my hand out (same knuckle). Said it was fine, but watch for a pattern. Hence the post.