San Tan Valley, in northern Pinal County, became Arizona's newest incorporated town in 2025, and many of its residents look north to the Gilbert area for specialty medical care. If knee or hip arthritis is slowing you down, Dr. Christian Eccles provides focused hip and knee replacement care within reach of your home.
Traveling from San Tan Valley
The South Gilbert office at 1675 E Melrose St., Suite 101, Gilbert, AZ 85297 is the closer of Dr. Eccles' two offices for most San Tan Valley residents. A typical route follows Hunt Highway and Ellsworth Road north, then Rittenhouse Road and Germann Road west, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and your starting point. The North Gilbert office at 2940 E Banner Gateway Dr., Suite 200, Gilbert, AZ 85234 is reachable by continuing north on Ellsworth Road to Loop 202.
Because the drive is longer than for patients closer in, it helps to ask the office about grouping your imaging, consultation, and pre-surgery visits where possible.
Signs Your Knee or Hip May Need More Than Rest
- Pain that keeps you up at night or flares after short walks
- Stiffness that makes stairs, getting out of a car, or putting on shoes difficult
- A knee that swells, grinds, or bows outward or inward
- Little or no relief from medication, therapy, or injections
If these sound familiar, an evaluation can show whether you have knee arthritis or hip arthritis and what treatments make sense.
Knee Procedures
The core procedure is total knee replacement, which relieves arthritis pain by replacing the damaged surfaces of the joint. Dr. Eccles offers robotic knee replacement using the TMINI® Miniature Robotic System to follow a personalized 3D plan during bone preparation. Tissue-conscious techniques, including minimally invasive knee surgery and muscle and tendon-sparing knee replacement, are considered when your anatomy allows. When a prior knee implant fails, revision surgery or an evaluation for a painful or failed knee replacement can identify the cause.
Hip Procedures
Total hip replacement can be performed through an anterior or posterior approach. OrthoGrid Hip AI navigation analyzes X-ray images in the operating room to help assess implant angle and leg length. Revision hip replacement addresses problems with an earlier hip implant.
Recovering Close to Home
For a longer commute, going home the same day can make recovery more comfortable. Eligible patients may qualify for outpatient joint replacement, though Dr. Eccles only recommends it when it is safe. A narcotic-free approach to pain control and a fast recovery plan with early therapy support your progress at home.
Preparing your home before surgery also helps. Clear walkways of rugs and cords, set up a comfortable chair with firm arms, and keep everyday items within easy reach so the first days back are safer and simpler.
Dr. Eccles' Background
Dr. Eccles is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who completed residency at the University of Louisville and an Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at Indiana University. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. His research includes work on robotic-assisted knee replacement and on revision knee surgery for infection.
San Tan Valley FAQs
Which office is better for San Tan Valley patients?
For most residents, the South Gilbert office on E Melrose St. is the shorter drive.
How many trips will I need to make before surgery?
It varies. Ask the office whether your consultation, imaging, and pre-surgery steps can be scheduled close together to reduce travel.
Who should drive me home after surgery?
Plan for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you at first, especially if you go home the same day.
Call (602) 648-5444 to schedule.
