Hello, As what I feel is you need to check up with you Rheumatoid factor. Look out for some blood and urine routine. As the morning stiffness in small joints is due to mostly Rheumatic factor but we cannot claim it is the one as there are other numerate factors to consider. Why don t you actually think of doing a blood routine along with Rheumatic factor profile which can help us understand more about what could have caused this? Based on the provisional diagnosis the physician might prescribe some useful drugs and along with this, you need to focus on physiotherapist guided exercises to avoid any muscle wasting which raises to other issues indirectly. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Jay Indravadan Patel, Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist