Hip Replacement in Arcadia, AZ
★★★★★ 4.8 Google Reviews
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- 8,000+ Procedures
- Robotic-Assisted Precision
- Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Same-Day Outpatient Options
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Arcadia Was Built for People Who Move
Arcadia residents don’t sit still. The Arizona Canal Trail runs right through the neighborhood, offering miles of walking, running, and cycling. Camelback Mountain — with its Echo Canyon and Cholla trailheads — sits at Arcadia’s edge. The neighborhood’s best restaurants are a walk away. Saturdays mean hiking or golf at the Biltmore. This is a neighborhood that rewards mobility. Hip pain changes all of that. The walk to Postino becomes a calculation. The canal trail becomes a reminder of what you’re missing. Camelback — which once felt like a weekend ritual — starts to feel unreachable. It’s not just pain; it’s the slow erosion of the way Arcadia is supposed to feel. Dr. Brandon Gough is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon based in Scottsdale who specializes in hip replacement for active adults. His patients walk the same day as surgery. They go home within 24 hours. They come back to the canal trail, to Camelback, to the golf course — on a timeline that surprises them.
Signs It May Be Time to Consider Hip Replacement
- Hip pain that wakes you up at night or makes it hard to sleep through
- Stiffness that makes it hard to get in and out of the car — common on Arcadia's tighter residential streets
- Pain walking the Arizona Canal Trail or climbing the Cholla or Echo Canyon grades on Camelback
- Groin or hip pain that limits how long you can stand at Arcadia's weekend farmers markets or outdoor dining
- Non-surgical treatments — injections, physical therapy, anti-inflammatories — that are no longer providing meaningful relief
How Dr. Gough's Approach Compares to Traditional Hip Replacement
| Traditional | Dr. Gough | |
|---|---|---|
| Incision | 10–12 inches | 4–6 inches |
| Muscle handling | Cut or detached | Fully preserved |
| Walking | Days after surgery | Same day |
| Recovery | 6–12 weeks | Weeks, not months |
| Restrictions | Long post-op list | None |
| Hospital stay | 2–4 days | Same day / 24 hrs |
The Direct Superior Approach — Why Arcadia Patients Choose It
Dr. Gough uses the Direct Superior approach to total hip replacement — a technique that does not cut or detach the major muscles around the hip. The joint is accessed through a 4-inch incision without twisting or overextending the leg. Because the muscles are preserved, recovery begins immediately: most patients stand and walk within hours of surgery, go home the same day, and face no post-surgery hip restrictions. For Arcadia patients, this matters in practical terms. No long list of movements to avoid. No weeks of restricted recovery. A return to the Arizona Canal Trail, to the Biltmore fairways, to daily Arcadia life — measured in weeks, not months. For patients who have already had a hip replacement that is causing pain or instability, Dr. Gough also performs complex revision total hip replacement. Revision cases are more complex than primary replacements, which is exactly why experience and specialized training matter more — not less.
What Recovery Looks Like for Arcadia Patients
Most of Dr. Gough’s total hip replacement patients walk with assistance the same day as surgery and go home within 24 hours. In the first week, walking begins with a cane or walker and physical therapy starts. By weeks two and three, most patients are off assistive devices and returning to driving. By weeks three to four, many are walking the flat sections of the Arizona Canal Trail. By months two and three, most patients have returned to full activity — including the Cholla Trail, the Biltmore courses, and Arcadia life at full pace. Revision hip replacement recovery follows a longer timeline — typically one to two days in the facility, followed by a structured rehabilitation program over three months and continued improvement through the first year.
I was back walking the canal with my dog six weeks after surgery. I couldn’t believe how different my hip felt — no pain, no stiffness, nothing. I wish I hadn’t waited so long.
Meet Dr. Brandon Gough, M.D.
Dr. Brandon Gough is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and a leader in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement.
Dr. Brandon Gough is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon based in Scottsdale, Arizona. He specializes in hip and knee reconstruction and has performed over 8,000 procedures since 2013.
He is one of a select group of surgeons in the country trained in the Direct Superior approach to hip replacement — a technique that eliminates post-surgery restrictions and dramatically reduces recovery time. He is also a past consultant and educator for Stryker Orthopaedics, training surgeons from around the world in minimally invasive joint replacement techniques.
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Gough volunteers with Magis Clinic, Madonna School, Habitat for Humanity, and Sienna St. Francis Clinic. He believes that exceptional surgical care and genuine compassion go hand in hand.
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS)
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- American College of Physicians (ACP)
Hip Replacement Questions from Arcadia Patients
How close is Dr. Gough's practice to Arcadia?
Dr. Gough’s private practice is at 8575 E. Princess Dr., Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 — approximately 15 to 20 minutes from central Arcadia via the 51 or Lincoln Drive. He also operates at Aloe Surgical Center and Abrazo Scottsdale Campus, both in the Scottsdale area.
Will I be able to hike Camelback again after hip replacement?
Most patients return to hiking — including moderate trails like Camelback’s Cholla Trail — within two to three months of total hip replacement using Dr. Gough’s Direct Superior technique. The muscle-sparing approach means the muscles that support you on uneven terrain are intact and healing from day one, rather than being rebuilt from scratch. Dr. Gough will give you a specific activity plan at your consultation based on your goals.
Is same-day discharge safe for hip replacement?
Yes — for appropriate candidates, same-day discharge is as safe as an overnight hospital stay and produces equivalent outcomes. Dr. Gough’s technique causes significantly less soft tissue trauma than traditional approaches, which means patients are stable, mobile, and ready to go home within hours of surgery. Every patient is monitored closely before discharge is confirmed.
Does insurance cover hip replacement surgery?
Most major insurance plans — including PPO plans common among Arcadia professionals — cover hip replacement when it is medically necessary. Dr. Gough’s team will verify your insurance benefits before your consultation so there are no surprises. Gough Surgical accepts most major PPO plans including United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Ambetter, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Ready to Get Back to Arcadia Life?
Call 602-359-3088 or complete the form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Gough. His team will review your imaging, assess your hip, and give you a direct, honest recommendation on whether hip replacement is right for you — and what your recovery would realistically look like.
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Content on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Each patient’s condition, treatment plan, and results are unique. Patient testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not a guarantee of similar outcomes.