If I hold the steering wheel to tightly or to long, or hold anything too long, in my hands they get cramped and bent out of shape and it takes awhile for them to go back to normal. I do not have rheumatoid arthritis and have been told its Fibro. I frequently flex them and massage them and try to keep my hands warm.

After having fibro for 10 years I recently started getting a similar symptom. Primarily in my left hand index finger, with significant stiffness in the thumb and the other hand joints in both hands would hurt the worse my finger was. It wasn't 'locked' or I may not be using it the same as you are. No popping just very stiff in a claw, super tender to the touch.

Typically those are the first signs of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis. My labs came back negative and my xrays showed nothing. They blew it off as fibro, which I do not believe becausemy fibro symptoms are at the best they have been since they started in a decade. I HIGHLY doubt I would develop new symptoms when I'm not only NOT in a flare but basically a remission period. You should get checked out! RA is progressive!

It's fibro if your SED rates and other tests are negative. Please don't go looking for another disease. Fibromyalgia is bad enough!❤️

Blood tests have shown negative...so got drs today so going to ask for mri of hands and knees

Sounds like you have a form of arthritis (possibly genetic?) which may or may not be related to FM. One doesn't exclude the other and they often go together. Sometimes we need to treat each symptom individually. It takes a village of specialists, caregivers (family/friends), support team (like us), knowledge and determination. Don't give up on finding the right professional to validate your concerns and help you find answers! Wishes and hugs!