Same-Day Hip Replacement in Scottsdale, AZ — Walk In, Walk Out, Home That Afternoon
★★★★★ 4.8 Google Reviews
Ready to Find Out If Same-Day Hip Replacement Is Right for You?
8,000+ Procedures
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
MAKOplasty® Robotic-Assisted
Same-Day Outpatient Options
Scottsdale, AZ
Why Same-Day Hip Replacement Is Possible — and What Makes It Safe
Same-day discharge after hip replacement isn't a shortcut. It's the outcome of a surgical technique that causes significantly less trauma to begin with.
Same-day hip replacement in Scottsdale, AZ is not a new concept — but it’s still not what most patients expect when they first start researching surgery. For decades, hip replacement meant two to three nights in the hospital, a walker for weeks, and a long list of movements you couldn’t do. That was the standard because traditional surgery cut through the major muscles around the hip, and the body needed time in a monitored setting to stabilize. Dr. Brandon Gough performs hip replacement using the Direct Superior technique — a muscle-sparing approach that works entirely around those muscles rather than through them. Because the muscles are never cut, the trauma is dramatically less, recovery begins immediately, and patients are stable enough to go home the same day. Dr. Gough has performed more than 8,000 hip and knee replacements since 2013. Same-day outpatient surgery is the expected outcome for most of his hip replacement patients — not the exception.
What Makes Dr. Gough's Same-Day Hip Replacement Different
Same-day discharge is only possible because of what happens during surgery. Here is why the Direct Superior technique produces outcomes that traditional approaches can't match.
No Muscles Cut — Recovery Starts the Same Day
Traditional hip replacement and most anterior approaches require cutting or detaching muscles to access the hip joint. That muscle damage is the primary reason patients need extended hospital monitoring and weeks of limited mobility. Dr. Gough's Direct Superior technique accesses the hip through a natural interval between muscles — nothing is cut, detached, or reattached. Recovery begins the moment surgery ends because the muscles that stabilize your hip are completely intact.
No Post-Surgery Restriction List
Most hip replacement patients leave surgery with a list of movements they cannot perform for weeks or months — no crossing legs, no bending past 90 degrees, no low chairs or car seats. With the Direct Superior technique, none of those restrictions apply. Dr. Gough's patients leave with no precaution list because the posterior capsule of the hip is preserved during surgery, which is the structural reason dislocation risk exists with traditional approaches.
Walk Before You Leave. Drive Within Two Weeks.
Most of Dr. Gough's hip patients are walking with a walker within hours of surgery and discharged that afternoon. Physical therapy begins the same day. Most patients transition off a walker within the first week and return to driving within one to two weeks of surgery. Light recreational activity — including golf and hiking — is typically possible within three to four weeks.
Outpatient Surgery at a Dedicated Surgical Center
Gough performs outpatient hip replacement at Aloe Surgical Center and Abrazo Scottsdale — focused surgical facilities designed for efficient, high-quality outpatient procedures. You are not in a large hospital system competing for attention. Every member of the care team is focused on your procedure, your recovery, and getting you safely home the same day.
Everything was amazing from beginning to full recovery after just 8 physical therapy sessions. The method Dr. Gough uses allowed me to walk unaided in just a day or two without restrictions. He has my complete trust.
Same-Day Hip Replacement — Questions Patients Ask Before Their Consultation
Most patients have never heard that going home the same day as hip replacement is an option. Here are honest answers to the questions that come up most.
Is same-day hip replacement actually safe?
Yes — for appropriate candidates, same-day hip replacement is well-established and supported by extensive research. Studies consistently show that outcomes for carefully selected outpatient hip replacement patients are comparable or superior to inpatient surgery. The key is patient selection and surgical technique. Dr. Gough performs a thorough pre-operative evaluation to confirm you are a good candidate for same-day discharge, and his muscle-sparing Direct Superior technique results in significantly less tissue trauma than traditional approaches — which is what makes safe same-day discharge possible in the first place.
Am I a candidate for same-day hip replacement?
Most healthy adults who need hip replacement are candidates for the outpatient approach. Factors that typically support same-day discharge include overall good health, a home environment where someone can assist you for the first few days, absence of significant cardiac or respiratory conditions that require post-operative monitoring, and appropriate body weight. Dr. Gough will review your health history, imaging, and home situation at your consultation and give you a direct answer on whether same-day discharge is the right plan for your specific circumstances.
What happens if something goes wrong after I go home?
Dr. Gough’s team provides every patient with direct contact information before discharge — not a general hospital line, but a way to reach someone who knows your case. You will receive clear written instructions on what is normal, what to watch for, and exactly who to call and when. If you experience anything concerning, Dr. Gough’s team responds quickly. For most patients the post-surgical course at home is uneventful — manageable swelling, mild soreness that decreases day by day, and progressive improvement in mobility. The muscle-sparing technique is the primary reason serious complications are rare.
How much pain is there after same-day hip replacement?
Most of Dr. Gough’s hip replacement patients manage post-surgical discomfort with Tylenol or Celebrex rather than narcotic pain medication. The Direct Superior technique causes significantly less soft tissue trauma than traditional surgery, and less trauma means less post-operative pain. Mild swelling and soreness in the first one to two weeks is normal. Most patients describe the discomfort as very manageable — substantially less than they anticipated based on what they had heard about hip replacement recovery.
Do I need to arrange special equipment at home before surgery?
Because there are no movement restrictions with the Direct Superior approach, you do not need the elevated toilet seats, special chairs, or hip precaution aids that traditional hip replacement patients typically require. A standard home environment works. Dr. Gough’s team will walk you through everything you should have ready before surgery at your pre-operative appointment — typically a reacher for the first few days, a shower chair if preferred, and a comfortable place to rest. The list is short and simple compared to traditional hip replacement preparation.
How long until I can return to golf, hiking, and other activities?
Most of Dr. Gough’s hip replacement patients return to golf, hiking, and light recreational activity within three to four weeks of surgery. Full strength and unrestricted activity for most patients is achieved between six and eight weeks. This timeline is significantly faster than traditional hip replacement recovery, where returning to recreational activity can take six to twelve weeks or longer. The muscle-sparing technique preserves the hip’s natural stability from day one, which is what drives this difference in the recovery curve.
How do I find out if Dr. Gough is right for my hip replacement?
The first step is a consultation. Call or text 602-359-3088 or submit the form on this page. At your consultation, Dr. Gough will review your imaging, examine your hip, and give you a direct recommendation on which procedure and approach fit your situation. If you have recent X-rays or an MRI, bring them. If not, Dr. Gough’s team can arrange imaging. Most consultations are scheduled within one week. There is no pressure to decide at your first visit — the goal is to give you the information you need to make the right choice for your life and your recovery.
Dr. Brandon Gough, M.D.
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon · Scottsdale, Arizona
Dr. Brandon Gough is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon in Scottsdale, Arizona specializing in hip and knee replacement. He has performed more than 8,000 joint replacements since 2013 and is a Stryker-certified MAKOplasty® surgeon.
Ready to Find Out If Same-Day Hip Replacement Is Right for You?
8,000+
Hip & Knee Procedures
Same Day
Home After Surgery
25-30yr
Year Implant Life
★★★★★ 4.8 Google Reviews
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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.