<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-08-18</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001035688</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SELECT MEDICAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SEM</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001212989</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCINERNEY THOMAS E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O WELSH, CARSON, ANDERSON AND STOWE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>320 PARK AVENUE, SUITE 2500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-08-18</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>14548</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>28.61</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>160132</value><footnoteId id="F1"/><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The Reporting Person also indirectly beneficially owns 4,210,749 shares held by Welsh, Carson, Anderson &amp; Stowe VII, L.P.  The Reporting Person is one of several general partners of the sole general partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson &amp; Stowe VII, L.P.  Pursuant to Instruction (4)(b)(iv) of Form 4, the Reporting Person has elected to report as indirectly beneficially owned the entire number of securities beneficially owned by such limited partnership.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities, and any proceeds thereof, that exceed his pecuniary interest therein, and/or that are not actually distributed to him.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person also indirectly beneficially owns 1,406,137 shares held by WCAS Capital Partners III, L.P.  The Reporting Person is one of several managing members of the sole general partner of WCAS Capital Partners III, L.P.  Pursuant to Instruction (4)(b)(iv) of Form 4, the Reporting Person has elected to report as indirectly beneficially owned the entire number of securities beneficially owned by such limited partnership.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities, and any proceeds thereof, that exceed his pecuniary interest therein, and/or that are not actually distributed to him.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Jonathan M. Rather, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-19</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

