Hip Replacement in Phoenix, AZ
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- 8,000+ Procedures
- Robotic-Assisted Precision
- Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Same-Day Outpatient Options
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Phoenix Was Built for Year-Round Outdoor Living
Phoenix offers something remarkable — a city of nearly five million people where world-class outdoor recreation is available every month of the year. The Arizona Canal trail system stretches over 100 miles of paved path connecting neighborhoods from Scottsdale through central Phoenix and beyond. Camelback Mountain draws hikers of every ability to its Echo Canyon and Cholla summit trails. South Mountain Park — one of the largest municipal parks in the United States — offers miles of desert hiking and cycling within the city limits. Papago Park, the North Mountain trails, and dozens of neighborhood parks extend the outdoor opportunity further. And the golf — TPC Scottsdale, Papago Golf Course, Raven Golf Club, and dozens more — draws residents to the fairways year-round. Hip pain cuts access to all of it. The canal walk gets shorter. Camelback becomes impossible. Getting in and out of the car in Phoenix’s expansive geography becomes a daily source of dread. The round of golf gets cut from 18 holes to nine to none. For Phoenix residents who rely on outdoor activity to define their quality of life, a hip that no longer works is not something to accept. Dr. Brandon Gough is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon practicing in North Scottsdale, accessible from across the Phoenix metro. His patients walk the same day as surgery, go home within 24 hours, and return to the trails, the canal path, and the fairways on a timeline that regularly surprises them.
Signs It May Be Time to Consider Hip Replacement
- Hip pain that wakes you up at night or makes it impossible to find a comfortable sleeping position
- Groin or hip stiffness that limits your swing on the golf course or makes walking 18 holes difficult
- Pain on Camelback Mountain, South Mountain, or the North Mountain trails that forces you to cut hikes short
- Stiffness or pain on the Arizona Canal trail that limits how far you can walk or cycle before needing to stop
- 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 Phoenix Patients Choose Dr. Gough
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 Phoenix patients, this matters in practical terms. No long list of movements to avoid. No months of restricted recovery. A return to the canal trail, the mountain parks, the golf courses, and daily Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 — critical in Phoenix’s car-dependent geography. By weeks three to four, many are walking flat sections of the Arizona Canal trail. By months two and three, most patients have returned to full activity — including the mountain parks, the golf courses, and Phoenix 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 trail three weeks after surgery and back on the golf course by week ten. I had been living with hip pain for two years. I wish I had called Dr. Gough sooner.
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 Phoenix Patients
How do Phoenix patients get to Dr. Gough's practice in Scottsdale?
Dr. Gough’s private practice is at 8575 E. Princess Dr., Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. From central Phoenix the drive is approximately 25 to 30 minutes via the 51 North. From the East Valley the 101 provides direct access. He also operates at Aloe Surgical Center and Abrazo Scottsdale Campus, both in the Scottsdale area.
Will I be able to hike Camelback Mountain again after hip replacement?
Most patients return to hiking — including Camelback’s Echo Canyon and Cholla trails — within two to three months of total hip replacement using Dr. Gough’s Direct Superior technique. Because the surrounding muscles are preserved rather than cut and rebuilt, the strength and stability needed for Camelback’s steep terrain are intact from day one. Dr. Gough will give you a specific activity plan at your consultation based on your goals and recovery progress.
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 Medicare and PPO plans common across the Phoenix metro — 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 plans including Medicare, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Ambetter, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Ready to Get Back to Phoenix 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.