DR BRANDON GOUGH
Direct Superior Total Hip Replacement in Scottsdale, AZ
Muscle-sparing. Robotic-assisted. Walk the same day. No restrictions afterward. This is not your parents' hip replacement.
Total hip replacement may be right for you if:
- Hip pain is significantly limiting your daily activities
- You have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis), rheumatoid arthritis, or another condition causing joint damage
- Non-surgical treatments — medication, injections, physical therapy — are no longer providing adequate relief
- X-rays or imaging show significant damage to your hip joint
A consultation with Dr. Gough will confirm whether total hip replacement is the right option for you.
- 8,000+ Procedures
- MAKOplasty® Robotic-Assisted
- Same-Day Outpatient
- No Post-Op Restrictions
- Scottsdale, Arizona
HIP SURGERY COMPARISON
Traditional Surgery vs. Dr Gough's Approach
See Why Patients Choose Dr. Gough’s More Precise, Muscle-Sparing Hip Surgery Approach
Traditional Approach
- 10–12 inch incision
- Quadriceps and surrounding muscles cut
- 6–12 week recovery
- Long list of post-surgery restrictions
- Higher risk of dislocation
Dr Gough's Approach
- 4–6 inch incision
- Muscle-sparing technique
- Walk same day, home same day
- No post-surgery hip precautions
- Lower dislocation risk
Technique
The Direct Superior Technique
Dr. Gough is one of a select group of surgeons in the Scottsdale area — and among the few in the country — trained in the MAKOplasty® robotic-assisted Direct Superior approach to total hip replacement. Unlike traditional hip replacement, this technique:
- Does not twist or overextend the leg during surgery
- Preserves all major muscles and tendons around the hip
- Eliminates post-surgery restrictions — no crossing your legs, no bending restrictions
- Allows most patients to walk the same day and return to light activities within weeks
Before surgery, Dr. Gough uses a CT scan to create a detailed 3D model of your hip. This digital plan allows him to design a custom surgical approach and select an implant that fits your anatomy precisely — not a standard off-the-shelf size.
Why Patients Choose the Direct Superior Approach
Key Benefits
See how Dr. Gough’s muscle-sparing hip replacement approach helps patients recover faster, move easier, and get back to life with fewer restrictions.
- 4–6 inch incision — minimal scarring, less disruption to surrounding tissue
- Muscle-sparing — the quadriceps and surrounding muscles remain intact
- No post-surgery restrictions — resume normal activities sooner
- Walk the same day — reduces risk of blood clots and stiffness
- Home the same day or within 24 hours
- Return to golf and light activities in as few as 4 to 6 weeks
- Lower risk of hip dislocation after surgery
- Implants designed to last 25 to 30 years or more
- Reduced need for pain medication after surgery
Your Recovery, Step by Step
What to Expect
Knowing what to expect makes all the difference. Here is a realistic look at your recovery from day one to full activity.
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Before Surgery >>> |
CT scan of your hip. 3D digital planning. Customized implant selection. Pre-operative instructions from Dr. Gough's team. |
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Day of Surgery >>> |
The procedure takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. You will be walking within hours of surgery. Most patients go home the same day. |
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Days 1-7 >>> |
Mild swelling and discomfort are managed with Tylenol or Celebrex. Walking with a walker or cane. Physical therapy begins. |
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Weeks 2-3 >>> |
Most patients transition off assistive devices. Return to driving (non-surgical leg). Many resume light activities like golf. |
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Weeks 4-8 >>> |
Physical therapy continues. Strength and balance improve. Return to full daily activities for most patients. |
ELITE TECHNOLOGY
About the Implant
The prosthesis (artificial joint) used in total hip replacement is made from high-performance, biocompatible materials — typically a combination of metal, ceramic, and highly durable plastic (polyethylene). These materials are designed to mimic the smooth movement of your natural hip and withstand decades of daily use. Because Dr. Gough plans each surgery using a digital 3D model of your anatomy, the implant is selected to fit you — not the average patient.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Direct Superior Total Hip Replacement FAQs
We know you might have questions — here are the ones we get asked the most, answered simply.
No --- and this is one of the biggest advantages of the Direct Superior surgical approach. With traditional hip replacement, patients are given a long list of movements to avoid for 6 to 12 weeks—sometimes permanently. Things like no crossing your legs, no bending past 90 degrees, no low seats. With Dr. Gough's Direct Superior technique, none of those restrictions apply. The reason is anatomical: the Direct Superior approach does not disturb the posterior capsule of the hip, which is the structure that makes traditional techniques prone to dislocation. You go home with no precaution list.
Most MAKOplasty® total hip replacement procedures take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours from incision to closure. You will be up walking within hours of waking from anesthesia, and in most cases, you will go home the same day. Dr. Gough will review the specific details of your procedure, including any factors that may affect timing, during your pre-surgical consultation.
Most patients are cleared to drive within 2 to 3 weeks after total hip replacement --- once they are off any prescription pain medication and feel comfortable reacting quickly. If surgery was on your right hip, driving may take a few days longer as the right leg controls the brake and accelerator. Dr. Gough's team will give you specific clearance at your follow-up appointment.
Dr. Gough's muscle-sparing technique and precise MAKOplasty® CT-guided implant placement are specifically designed to give your replacement the best possible longevity --- modern implants are built to last 25 to 30 years or more. In the unlikely event that revision is ever needed down the road, having preserved healthy muscle and tissue around the joint makes that future procedure significantly less complex. Dr. Gough also performs revision surgery himself, so you would be in familiar and experienced hands.
Before surgery, Dr. Gough uses a CT scan of your specific hip to create a detailed 3D digital model. He uses this model to plan every aspect of your procedure --- the exact position, angle, and size of your implant --- before making a single incision. This level of customization means your implant is fitted to your anatomy, not an average. Precise alignment is one of the most important predictors of how long an implant lasts and how well it moves. It is a significant advantage over traditional freehand techniques.