You may need to test out a few different pairs before finding the one that is best for you. “Finding arthritis gloves that provide the ideal amount of support without the downsides of constriction can be difficult—particularly when one’s hands may vary in size due to fluctuations in swelling,” Fraser Leversedge, MD, hand and elbow orthopedic surgeon at UCHealth tells Verywell Health. Arthritis gloves need to be tight enough that they exert their desired action—namely to minimize joint swelling and edema, Badia notes. “Too loose, they don’t work. Too tight and it’s hard for patients to be compliant with the needed prolonged usage,” he says. According to Leversedge, the gloves should support the joints that are painful, be comfortable, and not cause a notable increase in swelling of the fingertips if worn for 30 to 45 minutes before going to bed. “Be careful when using fingerless gloves that are too tight, as this might promote swelling in the fingers, beyond the tighter portions of the gloves,” he explains.