BETTER • HEALTH Dr. Brandon Gough stresses a healthy lifestyle to his orthopedic patients By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
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Setting an Example Dr. Brandon Gough initially wanted to be a cardiologist, but ended up in orthopedic medicine. (Photo courtesy Dr. Brandon Gough)
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AUGUST 2019 | SEPTEMBER 2019 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM
rthopedic surgeon Dr. Brandon Gough wants what’s best for his patients.To do so, Gough feels he has to show them he’s in a good frame of mind himself. Gough sets an example by spending time in the gym, biking down mountain trails and advocating for his patients. “I’m a big advocate of promoting a healthy lifestyle,” he says. “I do hip and knee replacements, so patients need to be in relatively decent shape to have a good outcome. “I struggled with my weight. I went on a fitness program so I can relate and understand. I understand what the struggle is like. It’s a big part of my life.” At his North Phoenix practice, Gough uses cutting-edge robotic, micro-invasive, and muscle-sparing surgical techniques that are designed to help his patients return to their active lifestyle as soon as possible after surgery. He focuses on soft-tissue preservation, which reduces the time patients are required to stay at the hospital. In some cases, patients can complete total joint replacement procedure on an outpatient basis. Education is important to Gough as well. After earning his undergraduate degree from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, he obtained his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He then completed his residency and internship in general orthopedics at the University of Kansas, School of Medicine in Wichita, Kansas, where he was honored as the resident teacher of the year. His specialized orthopedic training continued during his lower extremity adult reconstruction fellowship at the Arizona Institute of Bone and Joint Disorders. “In high school, I knew I wanted to be a doctor, but not necessarily a surgeon,” he says. “I wanted to be a cardiologist—that was only because I didn’t think I could do surgery. “I went to medical school and started to learn more. I did my surgery rotation and I was able to use my hands to help people. I learned that’s where my calling was. Fortunately, I had good