thumb problems - OUCH!!!

Has anyone had their thumb (the 2 'end bones' - the "PIP joint") fused? Now since I've put off the wrist fusion, my thumb is causing immense pain at times (like whenever I grasp something, unless I flex my thumb first).  I searched and found that the last ('distal') joint can be fused.  (I seem to be into fusion research this year - LOL!)  I have always had what is called (by my mother, at least!) an "Indian thumb", it bends OUTWARD up to 90 degrees, and inward, barely 45 degrees.  But the flexibility isn't doing me a whole lot of good right now, with the PAIN. 

     The base of my thumb, which is typically a problem in RA and more commonly the location for fusion, is enlarged but still very flexible, due to a cortisone shot I got just before I was actually diagnosed with the RA.  It hurt like hell but it worked.  Sometimes things do!