A glove or finger cot may be formed of a polymer and include one or more pads over the back side of one or more distal finger joints. The glove or cot may optionally be lubricated, sterile, reversible and/or disposable, and may incorporate indicia indicating the location of the pads. The pads may provide protection from, e.g., repetitive stresses in tapping vials or syringes in medical examination, surgery, laboratory procedures, or other clinical contexts.