Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsHow to WearMaterial and Sizing
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
How to Wear
Material and Sizing
Compression gloveswork to improve blood flow in your hands, warm your hands, and provide stability to the joints of the fingers through compression. They can help reduce symptoms of pain,joint stiffness, and swelling that often occur with problems likearthritis.
Though research on how compression gloves work has been inconclusive, there is some proof that they provide relief. Wearing well-fitting gloves for at least eight hours daily can help you achieve the most benefits.
This article describes the types of problems that these gloves treat. It also explains how to select and use them.
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Benefits of Compression Gloves for Different Conditions
Compression gloves for hands are also calledarthritis gloves. They are often prescribed as part of an overall treatment plan to reduce symptoms in several types of hand disorders.
However, it is important to note that some people report that compression makes no difference in hand symptoms compared to regular gloves.
Since pain and symptoms are different in each individual and according to their condition, your experience with compression gloves can vary. Here are some of the conditions that are most likely to benefit from the use of compression gloves:
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathyis nerve pain, weakness, and numbness affecting your peripheral nerves (those outside your brain and spinal cord, such as in the hands and feet). The condition often occurs due todiabetesthough other factors such as physical trauma,autoimmune diseases, and certain medications are also causes.
Symptoms often includechronic pain,tingling,numbness, andweaknessin your hands and feet. The pressure from compression gloves may improve these symptoms as it helps to increase blood flow to your hands and reduceinflammationand swelling.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndromeoccurs due to excessive pressure on yourmedian nerve(one of the major nerves to your hand) at your wrist. It often results from repetitive hand motions like typing, driving, or writing that involve flexing and extending your wrist.
Symptoms can include pain, tingling, or muscle damage in your hand and fingers. Compression gloves, especially those with acarpal tunnel brace, can help keep your wrist in a neutral position to reduce strain, though they won’t cure the cause of the pain.
Hand Arthritis
Hand arthritisis inflammation of the joints between the bones of your wrist, hand, and fingers. The problem causes stiffness and pain, limiting movement and hand function.
Compression gloves are often prescribed to improve circulation and treat rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis. This can ease pain and inflammation. While people who use these gloves report improvement, these gloves do not treat the underlying cause of the disease.
Tendonitis
Tendonitisis inflammation of a tendon (the connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone). The condition typically occurs due to the stress of repetitive muscle contraction during overuse.
Swelling
Edema, or swelling, of your hands occurs when fluid becomes trapped in tissue as a result of injury or inflammation. Swelling in your hands can occur due to arthritis, medications, and serious medical conditions likedeep vein thrombosis (DVT).
While compression gloves will not correct the cause of hand swelling, they can help reduce the discomfort of swelling. The gentle compression of the gloves helps to push the excess fluid out of your hands during wear.
How Long to Wear Compression Gloves
You should wear compression gloves for a minimum of eight hours to experience their benefits. However, you can wear them as long as needed to help with swelling, pain, or stiffness symptoms.
Compression gloves can be worn while you sleep to reduce morning stiffness and joint pain. Wearing them during the day can help improve hand function, though you should not wear them for 24 hours without removing them occasionally to maintain your skin hygiene.
Compression gloves should not be worn while driving because they can interfere with your ability to safely grip the steering wheel.In addition, some compression gloves can make your hands too hot to wear for long periods while you perform daily tasks.
Consult your healthcare provider regarding the best way to use compression gloves for your condition. Discontinue using compression gloves and contact your healthcare provider for guidance if you have any of the following symptoms while wearing them:
Compression Glove Materials and Sizing
Selecting the right compression glove size and materials is important because you will be more likely to wear them as advised if they fit comfortably.
Compression gloves are typically manufactured from one or more of the following materials:
Look for the following qualities to ensure a comfortable and proper fit when choosing compression gloves:
The Best Compression GlovesBased on research and the comparison of dozens of compression gloves, the editors at Verywell Health have identified the following products as thebest compression gloves availablein the categories mentioned:Overall: IMAK Compression Arthritis GlovesOn a budget:Vive Arthritis GlovesCopper gloves: Copper Compression Arthritis GlovesCompression gloves: ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression GlovesFor fingers and thumbs: PhysioNatural Microwavable Therapy MittensFor winter: Copper Compression Full Finger Arthritis GlovesThermal heat relief:Thermoskin Premium Arthritic GlovesVibrating: Brownmed Intellinetix Therapy Gloves
The Best Compression Gloves
Based on research and the comparison of dozens of compression gloves, the editors at Verywell Health have identified the following products as thebest compression gloves availablein the categories mentioned:Overall: IMAK Compression Arthritis GlovesOn a budget:Vive Arthritis GlovesCopper gloves: Copper Compression Arthritis GlovesCompression gloves: ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression GlovesFor fingers and thumbs: PhysioNatural Microwavable Therapy MittensFor winter: Copper Compression Full Finger Arthritis GlovesThermal heat relief:Thermoskin Premium Arthritic GlovesVibrating: Brownmed Intellinetix Therapy Gloves
Based on research and the comparison of dozens of compression gloves, the editors at Verywell Health have identified the following products as thebest compression gloves availablein the categories mentioned:
Summary
Compression gloves can relieve the pain and swelling of some hand problems. While some research suggests they can improve symptoms, everyone does not achieve the same benefits.
Wearing well-fitting compression gloves as advised can help you get the best results. While they will not provide a cure, they may help you with daily functions.
If you have hand pain or swelling symptoms, consult your healthcare provider before treating these problems with compression gloves. Though they may improve symptoms, compression gloves do not treat the underlying causes of these symptoms.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2014;6(6):226-237. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis.2014 Dec;6(6):226-37. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474Prior Y, Bartley C, Adams J, Firth J, Culley J, O’Neill TW, Hammond A.Does wearing arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function? A qualitative study into patients' views and experiences.Rheumatol Adv Pract.2022 Feb 12;6(1):rkac007. doi:10.1093/rap/rkac007NHS St. Georges University Hospitals.Compression gloves.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Diabetic.org.Does wearing gloves for neuropathy help?Mount Sinai.Carpal tunnel syndrome.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Carpal tunnel syndrome.Penn Medicine.Arthritis.Keck School of Medicine of USC.Do arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function?Penn Medicine.Tendinitis.NIH News in Health.When body parts swell.CreakyJoints.org.Arthritis gloves: Do they actually relieve swelling and pain?Hammond A, Prior Y, Adams J, Firth J, O’Neill T, Hough Y.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. 2023;21(2):405-416. doi:10.1002/msc.1709
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2014;6(6):226-237. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis.2014 Dec;6(6):226-37. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474Prior Y, Bartley C, Adams J, Firth J, Culley J, O’Neill TW, Hammond A.Does wearing arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function? A qualitative study into patients' views and experiences.Rheumatol Adv Pract.2022 Feb 12;6(1):rkac007. doi:10.1093/rap/rkac007NHS St. Georges University Hospitals.Compression gloves.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Diabetic.org.Does wearing gloves for neuropathy help?Mount Sinai.Carpal tunnel syndrome.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Carpal tunnel syndrome.Penn Medicine.Arthritis.Keck School of Medicine of USC.Do arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function?Penn Medicine.Tendinitis.NIH News in Health.When body parts swell.CreakyJoints.org.Arthritis gloves: Do they actually relieve swelling and pain?Hammond A, Prior Y, Adams J, Firth J, O’Neill T, Hough Y.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. 2023;21(2):405-416. doi:10.1002/msc.1709
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2014;6(6):226-237. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis.2014 Dec;6(6):226-37. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474Prior Y, Bartley C, Adams J, Firth J, Culley J, O’Neill TW, Hammond A.Does wearing arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function? A qualitative study into patients' views and experiences.Rheumatol Adv Pract.2022 Feb 12;6(1):rkac007. doi:10.1093/rap/rkac007NHS St. Georges University Hospitals.Compression gloves.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.Diabetic.org.Does wearing gloves for neuropathy help?Mount Sinai.Carpal tunnel syndrome.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Carpal tunnel syndrome.Penn Medicine.Arthritis.Keck School of Medicine of USC.Do arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function?Penn Medicine.Tendinitis.NIH News in Health.When body parts swell.CreakyJoints.org.Arthritis gloves: Do they actually relieve swelling and pain?Hammond A, Prior Y, Adams J, Firth J, O’Neill T, Hough Y.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. 2023;21(2):405-416. doi:10.1002/msc.1709
Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2014;6(6):226-237. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474
Nasir SH, Troynikov O, Massy-Westropp N.Therapy gloves for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A review.Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis.2014 Dec;6(6):226-37. doi:10.1177/1759720X14557474
Prior Y, Bartley C, Adams J, Firth J, Culley J, O’Neill TW, Hammond A.Does wearing arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function? A qualitative study into patients' views and experiences.Rheumatol Adv Pract.2022 Feb 12;6(1):rkac007. doi:10.1093/rap/rkac007
NHS St. Georges University Hospitals.Compression gloves.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic.org.Does wearing gloves for neuropathy help?
Mount Sinai.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Penn Medicine.Arthritis.
Keck School of Medicine of USC.Do arthritis gloves help with hand pain and function?
Penn Medicine.Tendinitis.
NIH News in Health.When body parts swell.
CreakyJoints.org.Arthritis gloves: Do they actually relieve swelling and pain?
Hammond A, Prior Y, Adams J, Firth J, O’Neill T, Hough Y.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. 2023;21(2):405-416. doi:10.1002/msc.1709
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