The earliest joint symptom that occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is morning stiffness in both hands, which is the inability to make a fist with both hands in the morning and is relieved only after activity, and morning stiffness lasting longer than one hour is clinically significant. Morning stiffness is caused by fluid accumulation in the joints and swelling of the surrounding soft tissues, and is often indicative of early rheumatoid arthritis changes. For patients who develop morning stiffness, tests such as blood sedimentation, C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, and anti-AKA antibodies need to be completed as soon as possible. If the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is clear, methotrexate and leflunomide should be added as soon as possible to slow down the progression of the patient’s disease.