Compression Gloves for Arthritis: What to Know Before You Buy
Key takeaways:
Compression gloves are stretchy, snug-fitting gloves. They apply gentle pressure to the hands and fingers.
Compression gloves may improve symptoms of arthritis that affect the hands and fingers. They may reduce swelling, pain, and stiffness, as well as improve circulation and grip strength.
Avoid wearing compression gloves if you have conditions that affect your blood vessels, nerves, or lymphatic system. Talk to your primary care provider if you’re unsure if compression gloves are safe for you to use.
When arthritis affects your hands, it can make everyday tasks difficult. Fortunately, there are several ways to manage your symptoms, including using compression gloves for arthritis.
Compression gloves apply pressure to the hands and fingers. They’re designed to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling. Several types of arthritis can cause these uncomfortable symptoms. Examples include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
But do compression gloves really work? Or, are there any reasons not to wear them? Learn about the potential benefits of compression gloves for arthritis. Plus, get tips on how to find a suitable pair and when to wear them.
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How do compression gloves for arthritis work?
Compression gloves apply gentle, constant pressure to the hands and fingers. This compression can support the hand and finger joints, as well as provide comfort.
Small studies of people with rheumatoid arthritis suggest that compression gloves might help. They may provide the following benefits:
Provide warmth (which is thought to increase blood flow)
Ease pain and stiffness
Reduce swelling
Improve grip strength
But a larger randomized trial didn’t find any improvement in daytime hand pain or function from compression gloves when compared with other gloves. Similarly, study participants have reported that gloves provide benefits — although this was also true of other gloves without compression. So, it’s not clear if compression gloves work better for arthritis than typical gloves.
There’s not much research on the use of compression gloves for other types of arthritis.
Is it OK to wear compression gloves all the time?
Compression gloves are best worn for an extended period of time to reap the potential benefits. But they shouldn’t be worn around the clock. Non-stop compression could cause skin irritation.
What kind of arthritis occurs in hands? You may think of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when you think of arthritis in the hand. But psoriatic arthritis can affect your hands, too.
Osteoarthritis versus rheumatoid arthritis: These conditions usually affect different joints in the fingers and hands. Learn about differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
How to treat Reynaud’s phenomenon: Wearing gloves is a simple treatment for this condition. But when lifestyle measures aren’t enough, medication can help.
If they’re too tight, compression gloves could damage nerves and blood vessels. If you wear them for several hours, make sure to remove them periodically to give your hands a break. That said, there aren’t specific recommendations for compression glove use.
Compression gloves can be worn for daytime or nighttime use. If worn during the day, you can wear them while performing many daily activities — except driving. The gloves may be too slippery for holding the steering wheel. Wearing compression gloves at night might help reduce morning pain and stiffness. But some find them too hot or uncomfortable for nighttime wear.
If you have medically prescribed compression gloves or garments, follow the advice of the healthcare professional who prescribed them. They’ll give you guidance on how long you should wear them.
When should you not use compression therapy?
Avoid compression gloves or other compression garments if you have certain medical conditions. In some cases, compression can make conditions worse.
Talk with a healthcare professional before using compression gloves if you have any of the following in your hands:
Circulation problems
Nerve damage, including peripheral neuropathy from diabetes or carpal tunnel syndrome
Skin infection
If you have lymphedema, talk to a healthcare professional. They’ll determine what type of compression garment is right for you. A physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema treatment will take measurements of your fingers, hand, and arm. These measurements will determine the correct garment size and level of compression.
What should you look for when buying compression gloves for arthritis?
When looking to buy compression gloves, there are a few features that you should keep in mind. These factors will help you to get the best-fitting pair:
Proper fit: Fit is the most important characteristic of compression gloves. Gloves that are too tight can restrict your circulation, which can be painful and potentially make swelling worse. And gloves that are too loose might not be able to reduce swelling. Take measurements of your hands and fingers to determine the correct size.
Material: Most compression gloves are made of nylon and elastane (like Lycra or Spandex). These materials allow the gloves to stretch and wick moisture away.
Compression level: Depending on the materials, the level of compression will vary between different gloves. You may have to try out a few pairs to see what works best for you. But that may not be feasible due to cost.
Finger coverage: Many types of compression gloves leave the tips of the fingers exposed. This helps with being able to feel and hold things better. It’s also helpful when using touch-screen technology. If you have swelling, pain, or stiffness that extends to the very tips of your fingers, you may want to consider gloves that fully cover the fingers.
It’s important to note here that, according to some experts, compression gloves are not a cost-effective way to treat symptoms of hand arthritis. In other words, if you’re on a tight budget, or your insurance won’t cover compression gloves, don’t feel like you have to buy them. Consider wearing regular gloves more often. Or, talk with your physical therapist or primary care provider about other ways to manage your symptoms.
The bottom line
The gentle pressure applied to the hands and fingers from compression gloves may help ease symptoms of arthritis. These gloves may help ease pain, swelling, and stiffness, which can help with everyday activities. But the research is unclear on how much they improve function. Check with a healthcare professional before using compression gloves. You shouldn’t use them if you have conditions that affect your nerves or blood vessels.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Cancer Society. (2024). Lymphedema.
Davies, C., et al. (2020). Interventions for breast cancer-related lymphedema: Clinical practice guideline from the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy of APTA. Physical Therapy.
Hammond, A., et al. (2015). The effects of compression gloves on hand symptoms and hand function in rheumatoid arthritis and hand osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation.
Hammond, A., et al. (2021). Clinical and cost effectiveness of arthritis gloves in rheumatoid arthritis (A-GLOVES): Randomised controlled trial with economic analysis. BioMed Central Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Hammond, A., et al. (2021). Compression gloves for patients with hand arthritis (C-GLOVES): A feasibility study. Hand Therapy.
Hammond, A., et al. (2022). Perceptions of arthritis glove wear of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and persistent hand pain: A nested questionnaire study within the A-GLOVES trial. Musculoskeletal Care.
McKnight, P. T., et al. (1992). Randomized, controlled trial of compression gloves in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatology.
Nasir, S. H., et al. (2014). Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A review. Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease.
Rabe, E., et al. (2020). Risks and contraindications of medical compression treatment – A critical reappraisal. An international consensus statement. Phlebology.
