Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), founded in 1863 by the New York Society for the Relief of the Ruptured and Crippled, was the first institution in the United States dedicated to the treatment of orthopedic conditions. Today it is a leader in the fields of orthopedics, rheumatology and sports medicine. Affiliation with Weill Cornell Medical College began in 1949. Construction of a new hospital over the FDR Drive was completed in 1996 and all patients are now treated in the new facilities.

In 2002, 8,592 patients were admitted to the 160-bed hospital and there were 183,000 outpatient visits to HSS physicians and HSS subspecialty clinics. HSS performs 25% of all joint replacement surgery in New York City. Residents train in its highly regarded five-year program in orthopaedic surgery; additionally clinical fellows receive training in advanced programs in rheumatic diseases and orthopaedic subspecialties.

In addition to patient care and medical education, the hospital maintains the Philip D. Wilson Research Center. The hospital’s research division investigates the causes, prevention, and new treatments for orthopedic, rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. HSS is the center of numerous clinical trials and the holder of various patents in its fields.

HSS is consistently ranked as one of the leading institutions in its specialty in the United States.