Significant increase in operations for carpal tunnel syndrome

In 2024, there were 8,400 operations for carpal tunnel syndrome in Norway, an increase from 7,400 in 2023.

See the full analysis on SKDE's updated health atlas.

Lowest operation rate in the Oslo area

There is significant geographical variation in the number of procedures per thousand inhabitants (operation rate). In areas with the highest operation rates, 2.5 times as many operations were performed per 1,000 inhabitants compared to areas with the lowest rates. In 2024, the operation rate varied from 0.9 for residents in the Diakonhjemmet catchment area to 2.2 for residents in Innlandet.

The Oslo area, including Oslo University Hospital, Lovisenberg, and Diakonhjemmet, has had the lowest rates throughout the period. Innlandet has had the highest. Certain areas have seen a significant increase over the past year - Stavanger with 79 per cent and Telemark with 63 per cent.

Half underwent neurography beforehand

Women are more frequently affected by carpal tunnel syndrome than men, and in 2024, 62 per cent of the operations were performed on women.

Neurography, an examination considered an important and reliable method for confirming the diagnosis, was conducted in 54 per cent of patients within one year prior to the operation. There are also significant variations here. Only one-third of patients in Fonna and Stavanger underwent the examination, while the proportion was nearly 65 per cent at UNN, in Bergen, and Innlandet.

The analysis was conducted by SKDE and is based on data from the Norwegian Patient Register. It includes both public and private providers offering publicly funded health services.

Read more about carpal tunnel syndrome and treatment at Metodebok.