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Compression gloves for arthritis: what to expect and how to choose
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- Open-finger cotton compression gloves. Best for: Daily wear for stiff, achy hands while keeping touch and grip. See options on Amazon
- Compression gloves with silicone grip dots. Best for: Kitchen tasks, gardening and opening jars. See options on Amazon
- Soft loose-fit warm gloves. Best for: People who find compression gloves too tight or hard to get on. See options on Amazon
- Jar opener with large cushioned grip. Best for: Anyone with painful hand joints. See options on Amazon
- Foam tubing for utensil handles. Best for: Building up toothbrush, cutlery and pen grips. See options on Amazon
What the best evidence shows
The A-GLOVES trial randomised 206 adults with rheumatoid or undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis and persistent hand pain. Half received mid-finger-length compression gloves made with 20% Lycra; half received control gloves with 11% Lycra, at least one size too large, giving no compression. Gloves were fitted by trained rheumatology occupational therapists, and everyone got brief advice on hand exercises and joint protection.
After 12 weeks, pain during activity improved similarly in both groups, with no meaningful difference between them on pain, stiffness or hand function. People wore their gloves a similar amount, a mean of 5.2 days a week, and 73% in each group rated the gloves as beneficial. The authors concluded that compression was not the key active component and that participants valued the warmth of loose gloves just as much.
The takeaway for buyers: gloves may help you feel better, but you do not need the tightest pair, and warmth and comfort count.
Features that matter
| Feature | Why it matters | Look for |
|---|---|---|
| Finger length | Open tips keep touch and grip | Open fingertip or mid-finger length, like the trial gloves |
| Fabric | Breathability for long wear | Cotton blend for all day; thinner nylon blend under other gloves |
| Fit | Too tight numbs, too loose slips | Sizing by a hand measurement, not one size fits all |
| Grip | Less squeezing needed | Silicone dots on palm and fingers |
| Wrist cuff | Easier to pull on with stiff fingers | Extended or flared cuff |
If copper is part of your decision, read copper compression gloves first; the copper itself has no good evidence behind it.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
The A-GLOVES trial looked at inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. Many people with hand osteoarthritis also use gloves for warmth and comfort. Either way, gloves are an add-on. Inflammatory arthritis needs medical treatment, and the Arthritis Foundation suggests asking your doctor or physical therapist about compression gloves before using them. In the trial, therapists fitted the gloves, which may have helped people get the size right.
Protect your joints while you wear them
Mayo Clinic's joint-protection advice for hand arthritis starts from one idea: pinching items between thumb and forefinger puts extra stress on already painful joints. Practical swaps it suggests:
- Add foam tubing to toothbrush and utensil handles, or choose tools with bigger, cushioned handles.
- Use a jar opener with a large, cushioned grip and an electric can opener.
- Use spring-loaded scissors and large-barrel pens with rubber grips.
- Carry bags with a cross-body strap to use larger joints.
For crafts, the Arthritis Foundation suggests breaks of three to five minutes every 30 to 45 minutes. See compression gloves for crafting.
How to wear them
- Start with a few hours a day and see how your hands feel.
- Take them off for wet tasks and wash them often.
- Stop if fingers tingle, go numb or change color.
- Keep up the hand exercises your therapist gives you; trial participants all received exercise and joint-protection advice alongside gloves.
What to look for when you buy
Open-finger cotton compression gloves
Best for: Daily wear for stiff, achy hands while keeping touch and grip
Close to the mid-finger-length design used in the A-GLOVES trial, and cotton breathes for long wear.
Watch out: Expect comfort and warmth rather than dramatic pain relief.
See options on AmazonCompression gloves with silicone grip dots
Best for: Kitchen tasks, gardening and opening jars
Extra grip means less pinching force, which fits Mayo Clinic's advice to reduce stress on painful joints.
Watch out: Grip dots may wear with frequent washing.
See options on AmazonSoft loose-fit warm gloves
Best for: People who find compression gloves too tight or hard to get on
In the A-GLOVES trial, loose non-compressive gloves helped as much as compression gloves, and participants valued their warmth.
Watch out: Less snug feel; may slip during fine tasks.
See options on AmazonJar opener with large cushioned grip
Best for: Anyone with painful hand joints
Mayo Clinic suggests large, cushioned-grip or mounted jar openers to cut strain on finger joints.
Watch out: Mounted openers need a sturdy surface to fix to.
See options on AmazonFoam tubing for utensil handles
Best for: Building up toothbrush, cutlery and pen grips
Mayo Clinic suggests foam tubing to make handles easier to hold with less grip strength.
Watch out: Wash or replace tubing regularly on eating utensils.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do compression gloves help arthritis?
- Many people find them comfortable. The A-GLOVES trial found compression and loose gloves helped pain and stiffness about equally, so warmth may matter as much as compression.
- Should arthritis gloves be tight?
- Snug but comfortable. The trial results suggest you do not need firm compression, and too-tight gloves can numb fingers.
- Can I wear arthritis gloves at night?
- Follow the maker and your clinician. Start with daytime wear, and stop if fingers tingle, swell or go numb overnight.
- Are compression gloves good for crafting with arthritis?
- Open-finger gloves let you feel yarn and needles. The Arthritis Foundation suggests asking your doctor or physical therapist about compression gloves and taking regular breaks.
Sources
- The effects of arthritis gloves on hand pain in people with rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis: a randomised controlled trial (A-GLOVES trial) (salford-repository.worktribe.com), Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, EULAR abstract (University of Salford repository)
- Joint protection for people with hand arthritis (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
- Make Needlework Less Painful (arthritis.org), Arthritis Foundation