An accomplished orthopaedic consultant in New York, Dr. Stuart Remer spent two decades as the director of spine surgery at Saint Barnabas Hospital and Health System in the Bronx. Dr. Stuart Remer has experience with a number of surgical procedures, including joint replacement surgery of the hip. Individuals suffering from joint pain in the hip have several surgical options, including a total hip replacement. There are a number of causes and symptoms that may lead a person and their medical team to move forward with a total hip replacement procedure, also known as total hip arthroplasty. Arthritis of the hip or a bone fracture are two common situations that can lead to stiffness and pain throughout the area. In severe cases, individuals may struggle to put on shoes or simply find a comfortable position in which to lay. Prior to surgery, physicians will typically explore medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and medical equipment that eases joint stress. In some cases, however, surgery presents the best option for mitigating pain and regaining mobility. The decision to address joint problems with surgery is one that must be discussed and agreed upon by both doctor and patient. Doctors will typically support the decision when hip pain limits a person’s daily activities, or when joint pain persists regardless of rest and other nonsurgical interventions. Even after a patient is determined to be a strong candidate for total hip replacement surgery following an orthopaedic evaluation, patients must maintain realistic expectations. Successful procedures lead to considerable pain relief and allow patients to resume the normal activities of everyday life. That said, high impact activities, such as those involved with playing sports, can accelerate the speed at which hip replacement components degrade. With this in mind, individuals who undergo hip replacement surgery are advised to take up less intensive activities, such as swimming and playing golf.