Objective To investigate the effect of methotrexate and leflunomide combined with finger exercises on relieving morning numb in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Methods From January 2015 to January 2017, 98 clinical data of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis treated in Dongfeng Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the control group and the observation group, with 49 cases in each group according to the treatment methods. The control group was given methotrexate combined with leflunomide and the observation group was given finger exercises on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, finger and wrist pain, morning stiffness, hand function improvement and adverse reaction in the two groups were compared. Results The total curative rate in the observation group (95.91%) was significantly higher than that of control group (83.67%), with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). After treatment, the VAS score, morning stiffness time and signals of functional impairment score (SOFI) in the two groups were all lower than those of before treatment, the indicators above in the observation group were all lower than those of control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). There were no severe adverse reactions in the two groups during the treatment. Conclusion Methotrexate and leflunomide combined with finger exercises in the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis is good. It can effectively improve the stiffness symptoms. It is worthy of clinical promotion.