Knee Replacement in Estancia, AZ

Back on the Fazio course. Back on the Pinnacle Peak trails. Back to Estancia life at full capacity — without knee pain holding you back. Dr. Gough’s MAKOplasty® robotic-assisted knee replacement means same-day discharge, faster recovery, and results designed to last decades.

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Estancia Life Revolves Around the Finest Golf in Arizona — Knee Pain Shouldn't Change That

Estancia is built around one of the greatest golf experiences in the United States — the Tom Fazio-designed Estancia Club course, ranked the number one course in Arizona and consistently celebrated among the finest private layouts in the country. Set at the foot of Pinnacle Peak and the McDowell Mountains, the community also offers immediate access to Pinnacle Peak Trail and Tom’s Thumb — two of Scottsdale’s most rewarding desert hikes. The community paths wind through protected desert terrain, and the dining and social scene at Kierland Commons and DC Ranch Marketplace is minutes from the gates. Knee pain erodes access to all of it — one compromise at a time. The back nine on the Fazio course gets harder to finish. Pinnacle Peak Trail becomes impossible. Walking the community paths becomes something you manage rather than enjoy. By the time most Estancia patients reach a consultation, they have quietly given up more of this exceptional lifestyle than they should have — and waited longer than necessary. Dr. Brandon Gough performs MAKOplasty® robotic-assisted knee replacement in North Scottsdale, minutes from Estancia. His approach uses a CT scan and 3D surgical plan to deliver precision treatment — smaller incision, less trauma, same-day discharge, and a recovery timeline built for the standard Estancia residents expect.

Signs It May Be Time to Consider Knee Replacement

Knee pain or stiffness that limits how many holes you can walk on the Estancia Club course before needing to stop
Pain on Pinnacle Peak Trail or Tom's Thumb that forces you to cut hikes short or avoid them entirely
Knee swelling or stiffness on the Estancia community paths that limits your daily walking distance
Pain standing at club events, member dining, or social gatherings within and around the Estancia gates
Injections or physical therapy that provided relief for a while but are no longer working

How Dr. Gough's Approach Compares to Traditional Knee 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

MAKOplasty® Robotic Precision — Why It Matters for Estancia Patients

Dr. Gough uses the MAKOplasty® robotic system for both partial and total knee replacement. Before surgery, a CT scan of your knee is used to build a precise 3D digital model. Dr. Gough uses this model to plan the exact position of the implant, the amount of bone to be removed, and how the new joint will move with your specific anatomy. During surgery, the Mako robotic arm guides every movement with a level of accuracy that is not possible by hand alone. Only the damaged area is treated. Surrounding healthy tissue — ligaments, tendons, cartilage — is preserved wherever possible. For Estancia patients who have damage confined to one compartment of the knee, partial knee replacement may be appropriate — treating only the affected area, preserving the rest, and delivering a more natural-feeling result with a faster recovery. For patients with advanced damage throughout the joint, total knee replacement replaces all three compartments. Dr. Gough also performs complex revision knee replacement for patients whose previous replacement is causing pain, instability, or reduced function.

What Recovery Looks Like for Estancia Patients

Most partial knee replacement patients go home the same day as surgery and achieve full recovery in two to four weeks — returning to the community paths and light recreational activities on a timeline that surprises them. Total knee replacement patients typically go home the same day or within 24 hours, begin physical therapy within days, and return to light activities like golf within three to four weeks. By weeks four to eight, most patients have returned to full activity — including the Estancia Club course, Pinnacle Peak Trail, and Estancia life at full pace. Revision knee replacement recovery is longer — typically one to two days post-procedure, followed by a structured physical therapy program over three months, with continued improvement through the first year or two.

Five weeks after my knee replacement I played nine holes on the Fazio course. Eight weeks in I was back to a full round. I had no idea it would be this fast. Dr. Gough was straightforward with me from the first appointment and delivered on everything he said.

BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHPAEDIC SURGEON

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.

Knee Replacement Questions from Estancia Patients

Will I be able to play golf at the Estancia Club again after knee replacement?

Most of Dr. Gough’s total knee replacement patients return to golf in as few as three weeks. The muscle-sparing, quad-preserving technique means the muscles that stabilize your swing are intact from day one — not being rebuilt after being cut. Partial knee replacement patients often return sooner. Dr. Gough will provide a specific activity timeline at your consultation based on your procedure and recovery progress.

Can I return to Pinnacle Peak Trail and Tom's Thumb after knee replacement?

Yes — most patients return to moderate trail hiking within two to three months of total knee replacement. Pinnacle Peak Trail and Tom’s Thumb both involve elevation gain and uneven terrain, requiring good knee stability, and Dr. Gough’s muscle-sparing technique ensures the supporting muscles are intact and rebuilding from day one. He will provide a specific hiking timeline based on your recovery progress at each follow-up appointment.

What's the difference between partial and total knee replacement?

Partial knee replacement resurfaces only the damaged compartment of the knee — leaving healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments intact. It requires a smaller incision, causes less trauma, and delivers a faster recovery with a more natural feel for patients whose damage is limited to one area. Total knee replacement resurfaces all three compartments and is appropriate when damage is widespread throughout the joint. Dr. Gough will review your imaging at your consultation to determine which approach is right for you.

How long will my knee replacement last?

Modern knee implants are designed to last 25 to 30 years or more with normal activity. The robotic precision of MAKOplasty® ensures optimal implant alignment — one of the strongest predictors of long-term implant performance. For active Estancia residents who plan to stay on the Fazio course and the Pinnacle Peak trails for decades, this longevity is especially important.

Ready to Get Back to Everything Estancia Has to Offer?

Call 602-359-3088 or complete the form to schedule your consultation. Dr. Gough’s team will verify your insurance before your visit, review your imaging, and give you a clear recommendation on which procedure is right for you — and what your recovery would realistically look like.