Dr. Ast is fellowship trained in Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Surgery from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. His primary specialty focus is rapid-recovery, short-stay and outpatient joint replacement surgery. Before returning to HSS, he previously developed and directed one of the largest and most successful outpatient joint replacement programs in the northeast. He also has both clinical and teaching expertise in the use of robotics and computer assistance in joint replacement surgery, and was the director of robotic and computer assisted surgery at a major university institution in New Jersey. Dr. Ast also specializes in primary, complex and revision total joint replacement. His training includes minimally invasive hip and knee replacement, partial knee replacement, robotic surgery and computer assisted surgery. Dr. Ast has extensive experience with and has published research on patient-specific instruments and implants. During his studies, he published numerous articles and chapters in peer-reviewed journals and internationally distributed textbooks, including several chapters on "Approaches for hip replacement surgery." He has also presented clinical and basic science research both nationally and internationally. Dr. Ast grew up in Staten Island, New York, and attended Temple University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in Biology and Phi Beta Kappa. He completed his Medical Degree at Temple University School of Medicine and returned to NewYork for his residency training in orthopedic surgery at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Ast was a Division I gymnast at Temple University and captain of the conference champions and top ten nationally ranked team in 2003. He is married with two children, and enjoys his time playing tennis, golf, fishing, skiing and traveling.