These two different types of steel indicate different alloys used for making the steel.

Surgical stainless steel is a specific alloy of stainless steel, designed for use in medical applications. Three elements are used in this alloy are chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. It is called 'surgical' because alloys that use this combination are considered a good choice for making surgical instruments: they are easy to sterilize and clean plus they are strong and corrosion-resistant. The nickel content, however, can trigger reactions in people that are sensitive to nickel.

Stainless Steel is a more generic term. It is less specific about the materials used to alloy with the carbon steel. Stainless steel must have a minimum of 11% chromium, but the other materials contained in the alloy are not specified. Nickel is often used in Stainless Steel, but sometimes may fall below the threshold considered 'nickel free' by regulations such as the one used by the European Union.