Osteo Athritis - Right Thumb - WTF????

[200gamblr]

Ok so I broke my thumb at around 15 years old (27yrs old now) in a sporting accident, when the plaster came off the pain didn't go away I got it xrayed again to find out that it hadn't healed properly and I had arthritis but the DR said you'll be fine. Over the years I've noticed it get progressively more painful in winter months, or holding a lawn mower etc but I have just gone with it as it hasn't been that bad or affected my training.
The other day the thing became extremely swollen like it had be broken again so I got another Xray, its not broken but has now been diagnosed as "Osteo-arthritis" and the DR told me there is nothing I can do about it, just avoid anything that aggravates it. My problem is that training doesn't seem to hurt it but every day activities like typing this post, text messaging or opening a bottle aggravates it, so I am constantly in pain. WTF???
Every one I've asked has told me take fish or salmon oil, (haven't done that yet) and it will be manageable but I'm 27, I don't wanna be taking old persons medication from now! Some one said I could possibly get it operated on i.e have it re-broken and metal put in to make it heal correctly - seems very extreme. Can some one help me out with this stupid problem!!

[200gamblr]

Shameless bump - my thumb still hurts.