Compression Gear for Arthritis

There are over 100 variations of arthritis, but the two most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While both types cause swelling, inflammation, and pain in the joints, they do so in very different ways.  

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a degenerative condition caused by normal wear and tear. This condition affects the cartilage around the joints. When protective cartilage breaks down, our bones lose the cushion that normally protects them from grinding together when we move our bodies. This wear and tear typically occurs gradually over time and can result in pain and restricted movement. 

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the membrane around the joints. When this happens, the lining becomes inflamed and swollen. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to the deterioration of the cartilage and bone within the joint.  

Beyond these two common forms of arthritis, there is an almost endless number of conditions that can cause joint pain and inflammation. From gout to bursitis to psoriasis, millions of people around the world suffer from painful joints at some point in their lives. 

There are a number of factors that may increase your chances of developing some type of arthritis: 

• Family history: Some forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid and psoriatic, run in families, making those with a family history more likely to develop these conditions at some point in their lives.  
• Age: The risk of developing certain types of arthritis tends to increase with age.
• Your sex: Depending on the type of arthritis in question, your sex can affect your risks. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is more common among women, while men are more likely to develop gout
• Previous joint injury: Injuries to the joints can increase the chances of eventually developing arthritis in that location
• Obesity: Extra weight puts more stress on the joints, increasing wear and tear that can lead to arthritis.

Arthritis can be an extremely debilitating condition, affecting your ability to walk, perform basic daily tasks, or take care of yourself. Because there is no cure for most forms of arthritis, treatment is designed to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. The most common treatment options include: 

• Painkillers: Basic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Advil and Alieve can help reduce pain and inflammation in less severe cases of arthritis. For more severe pain, opioids may be prescribed on a short-term basis.  
• Creams & Ointments: Topical agents like creams containing menthol or capsaicin can provide temporary relief to painful joints. 
• Immuno-suppressants: Drugs like methotrexate may be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic conditions by suppressing your immune response to slow or stop its attacks on your joints.  
• Corticosteroids: This type of drug improves arthritis symptoms by both reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system. Steroids may be taken orally (drugs like prednisone) or injected directly to the site of the pain (cortisone). 
• Physical Therapy: Depending on what type of arthritis you have, physical therapy can help you strengthen your body and improve your range of motion to alleviate restricting arthritis symptoms. 
• Surgery: For more extreme cases that are not well managed with conservative treatments, surgery may be indicated to repair or replace damaged joints.  
• Compression: The use of compression garments has been shown to reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation in joints affected by arthritis. 

The Role of Compression in Arthritis Treatment

Compression gear is an effective, affordable, and non-invasive option for treating the pain, stiffness, and discomfort associated with all types of arthritis. It accomplishes this in two main ways.

First, wearing a compression garment can simply warm the area of the body where it’s worn. Because heat very effectively treats pain, keeping the joints warm throughout the day can help keep pain at bay. 

The second and more important way that compression treats arthritis pain is by improving circulation to reduce swelling and inflammation. The cornerstone of compression therapy is vascular efficiency.

By putting either targeted or graduated compression on different parts of the body, compression garments aid in pushing blood toward the heart. Improved blood circulation to and from the heart reduces swelling by preventing blood from pooling in the extremities and decreases inflammation by moving more oxygen and other anti-inflammatory agents to the affected area.  

When it comes to compression gear for arthritis there are a number of excellent options to help you feel better and move more freely. Arthritis affects the joints, so the most commonly affected areas are the hands, feet, knees, elbows, and wrists. No matter where you experience arthritis pain, there is a compression garment out there help get you moving.

While any of the compression gear recommended on this site can help with your arthritis pain, we’ve gone further to find products and brands specifically vetted for this purpose. Below is a list of the best compression products on the market for arthritis. 

The Best Compression Products for Arthritis

• Knee Sleeve: EzyFit Knee Brace Support for Arthritis
• Elbow Sleeve: Kunto Fitness Elbow Brace
• Foot & Ankle Sleeve: Crucial Compression Ankle Brace Compression Support Sleeve
• Wrist Sleeve: WYLLIELAB Wrist Brace
• Socks: TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Socks