Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery has been the hospital of choice for countless numbers of individuals suffering from musculoskeletal conditions. These include, among others, arthritis and osteoporosis, spine and sports injuries, cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Our physicians are highly respected specialists who trained at top medical schools and hospitals and are board-certified in their fields. The training, experience and focused specialties of HSS doctors rank them among the most qualified anywhere in the world. Their skills and expertise are drawn not only from the high volume of patients who are treated here, but from the hospital's collaborative research and clinical efforts which are applied directly to patient care. In fact, many advances in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions had their origins in the pioneering efforts of our scientists and physicians. Since Hospital for Special Surgery is a teaching hospital, our patients also benefit from the exchange of ideas and information that flows between seasoned clinicians and new physicians. In 1996, the hospital opened a beautiful new inpatient facility overlooking New York City's East River. The seven-story hospital contains numerous patient amenities and state-of-the-art services. HSS has been recognized for its excellent medical care in The Best Hospitals in America, The Best in Medicine, and U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of America's Best Hospitals.