Two hundred four patients with symptomatic and radiographic thumb base osteoarthritis were randomized to receive a 6-week combination of education, splinting, hand exercises, and topical diclofenac sodium 1% gel (n=102) or education alone (n=102). The primary outcomes were hand function (Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis, FIHOA) and thumb base pain (visual analog scale, VAS). Secondary outcomes included grip and pinch strength, quality of life, stiffness, global assessments, and responder rates. Outcomes were assessed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks, with additional follow-up at 6 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the combined intervention significantly improved hand function at both 6 weeks and 12 weeks and reduced pain at 12 weeks, though not at 6 weeks. This suggests the combination of conservative treatments provides small to moderate improvements in hand function and delayed pain relief compared to education alone.