Incidence of hallux valgus primary surgical treatment. Finnish nationwide data from 1997 to 2014

•The overall incidence of HV operation has decreased remarkably during the last two decades in Finland.•MT-1 osteotomy is the most common technique in the surgical treatment of HV.•The MTP-1 joint arthrodesis incidence increased by over 1000% and TMT-1 joint arthrodesis by nearly 2000% during the last two decades in Finland•The resection arthroplasty of first MTP joint procedure decreased remarkably 1997–2014.•The gender difference (13% men, 87% women) is consistent with previous studies.