Interview with Dr. Doug Clouse

Discussion Details: We discussed his origin stories, his treatment philosophy, what he considers great care, different options outside of surgery, and why he does what he does.

Benefits of Watching: Learn about an incredible surgeon that deeply cares about his patients and his work.

Address of Guests Business: 2450 S. Gilbert Rd Suite 109 Chandler AZ, 6410 S Kings Ranch Rd Suite 5 Gold Canyon AZ, and 21300 N. John Wayne Pkwy Ste #116, Maricopa, AZ

Brig Woods: All right. Hi, this is Dr. Brig Woods, owner of Polaris PT & Wellness and host of the Professional Spotlight Series. With us today is someone that I deeply respect, and I know you guys are going to get a ton of value from. In fact, I had him fix my elbow when I tore my biceps tendon, and he did a fantastic job. Dr. Doug Klaus is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip and knee preservation and replacement, as well as other surgeries like my elbow. He’s passionate about helping active adults and athletes stay moving for life, and he’s built a reputation here in the East Valley for his collaborative approach with both patients and providers. Dr. Klaus is a dedicated family man and Olympic weightlifting competitor, and he brings that same energy and care to the way he treats his patients. Welcome, Dr. Klaus.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Oh, thank you, man. Very nice of you. You’re making me sound too nice, too good, dude.

Brig Woods: No, dude. It is all true. Also, congrats on becoming a grandpa, dude.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Thank you. Yeah, that’s brand new. That was just two months ago. She literally hit her two-month mark yesterday. That’s fun.

Brig Woods: Yeah, you get the fun part.

Dr. Doug Klaus: It is. It’s funny because when I’ve had friends or people who have a new baby, I’m not usually one to really want to hold the newborn. They feel fragile, and I’ll just wait. But when I saw her, I was like, I’ve got to hold her. Come on, give her to me.

Brig Woods: Absolutely.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Well, you can’t get enough of your own grandchild.

Brig Woods: Somebody told me you just get that feeling of what it was like when you had kids and you don’t have to deal with all the extra stuff.

Dr. Doug Klaus: That’s true. It’s awesome.

Brig Woods: It’s like having my own kid again — but dirty and fussy. Mom, Dad, who can I pass them off to? But yeah, man, that’s awesome. So, I guess really quickly, first and foremost, what drew you into medicine, and then from medicine, orthopedic surgery?

Dr. Doug Klaus: So actually, it’s funny. I remember being in college, and I just knew I was going to graduate school. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t thinking I’d do graduate school. I come from a family of professionals — dentists, lawyers — and I’m the youngest, so I felt like I had to one-up everyone. I thought I obviously had to go to med school. But I was actually going to do physical therapy; I was a pre-physical therapy major. I liked that stuff and I always have.

One summer I came home and worked for a doctor. He let me follow him around and do things, and I was like, man, this is real. This is so cool. I loved the diagnostic part — trying to figure things out. He nudged me and said, “You should consider med school.” So I thought, I’m going to go that route.

As I started thinking about it, I prayed a lot — I’m a man of faith — and I got an answer that this is what I was supposed to do. When I got that, I knew this was my path. Then when I got into med school — Tulane in New Orleans, which was an awesome school — it was almost taboo to say you wanted to do orthopedic surgery because it makes you look like a gunner. It’s a competitive residency; you had to be at the top of your class. People might think, “Oh man, this guy’s a jerk.” So I kind of kept it quiet. I liked ortho, but I wasn’t sure.

In the first couple of years I did a lot of rotations — ER, surgery suite, family practice, pediatrics. You find your personality matches a specialty. It was almost a game: you’d guess which specialty someone fit. The first day I did my ortho rotation I was sitting with the residents and thought, I would hang out with these guys in a heartbeat. Everything clicked. It was fun. Sometimes you do rotations and you’re just getting through them, but not ortho.

Brig Woods: I did an acute care rotation and thought, I’m so glad somebody wants to do this.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Exactly. The first day I did ortho I thought, this is a blast. I love it. That day I went home and told my wife, “I’m doing ortho,” and we never looked back.

Brig Woods: That’s awesome, man. Was there anybody in particular — that first physician — what was he?

Dr. Doug Klaus: He was a physiatrist. It wasn’t quite pain management; he did a lot of sports medicine and worked closely with physical therapy. He wasn’t an injection-heavy guy; he focused more on figuring things out didactically. That openness kind of drew me in.

Brig Woods: Was there anyone else, like a mentor, who influenced your path?

Dr. Doug Klaus: Oh, yeah. My fellowship director, Dr. Jesse DeLee. I did a sports medicine fellowship with him in San Antonio. He literally wrote the textbook for sports medicine. He’s the hardest-working orthopedic surgeon I’ve ever seen. The hours we put in with him — I put in more hours with him than when I was an intern. He’d start surgeries at 6 a.m. and do three or four total knees or hips, then be in clinic by 11 or 12 and stay until six. After clinic he’d still have things to do. It was insane. He packed as much as he could into a 12-hour day.

I love how he approached everything and how he treated patients. He’s very caring. Even now, techniques he taught me still work, and I use them. He influenced how I do things.

Brig Woods: I’ve noticed people you treat say you take more time than most orthos. Most orthos I know do surgery and not clinic.

Dr. Doug Klaus: I understand the insurance pressures. I have to see many patients to cover expenses, and it’s gotten kind of silly. I think it’s damaged the doctor-patient relationship. I try a different approach: I try to educate. My job is to teach patients what they have, explain it so it makes sense, and take time to show them options. Every patient has a unique treatment plan — it’s not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes we don’t have to go straight to surgery; we can try biologic injections like PRP, or other options. I try to provide alternatives and educate patients.

Brig Woods: That gets more buy-in and better outcomes. For you, when did you realize being an orthopedic surgeon had deeper meaning beyond the medical side?

Dr. Doug Klaus: I felt called — I’ve always viewed it as a higher purpose, not just a job. There were tough years, like during COVID. That time was hard for many people and frustrating because so many lacked access. We stayed open because we needed to, but running a business during that time was extremely challenging. I remember feeling burned out around 2021–2022. It wasn’t just physician stuff; being a private practice owner added stress. There were days I’d think, why am I doing this?

The only joy some days was going into an exam room, shutting the door, and being with a patient. That’s where I found purpose — connecting with someone and helping improve their life. It brings enjoyment. If the job is only about numbers and billing, it doesn’t bring joy.

Brig Woods: When you start looking at numbers and finances, you could be doing anything. The human connection is everything.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Exactly.

Brig Woods: Any patient success stories that stuck with you and reinforced why you do this? You don’t have to identify anyone.

Dr. Doug Klaus: That’s a hard question because I don’t always remember successes — there are so many. What I never forget are the complications. Complications stick with you; they hurt the patient and weigh on you. I remember a hip replacement years ago where everything seemed fine after surgery. She was discharged but came back to the ER a couple days later anemic. We admitted her, gave a transfusion, and she stabilized and was discharged. A few days later she was back with dropping blood levels. We took her back to the OR for a hematoma but couldn’t find a bleeder. She stabilized, went home, but returned again with the same problem. Ultimately, interventional radiology did a scan and found a bleeder that had retracted into the pelvis — you couldn’t see it. When we positioned her during surgery it had been compressed and did not bleed, but once she was upright it did. They embolized it, and it fixed the problem.

I remember running back and forth to the ER, talking with family. She was alone here; her daughters lived out of state. I called the daughter multiple times to give updates. Once I was driving home and the daughter expressed gratitude, saying thank you so much for caring. That hit me — I was just trying to do my job, but that gratitude meant a lot.

Brig Woods: Who knows how many others would have put in the same effort. That’s great. What, in your view, defines exceptional care beyond clinical outcomes?

Dr. Doug Klaus: Outcomes are important, but there are layers. You need technical skill and a knowledge base. Beyond that, are you willing to take time for the patient? There’s a tendency to rush through because of demand. Exceptional care often happens when you take the time to listen, understand, and teach. I love to teach and explain things. Those meaningful conversations — not just boom in and out — are more meaningful to me.

Brig Woods: You can wait two weeks or sit in the waiting room to get more time with me.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Exactly. When I’ve really provided good care it was because I took time, listened, and taught the patient. That’s 100% more meaningful.

Brig Woods: Moving on — who do you help most? What conditions do you frequently see?

Dr. Doug Klaus: I’m mostly sports medicine. Probably 70–80% of my practice is shoulders and knees — athletes, soft tissue injuries, tendon tears, ligament tears, meniscus tears, ACL tears. Because people are active now, sports medicine isn’t just for 20-year-olds. It goes up to 80- and 90-year-olds. I also do a fair number of knee replacements since I treat knees a lot. The remaining 20% is other things: backs, elbows, hands, feet, hips. I’ll see anything; if it needs specialist surgery I’ll get the patient to a trusted colleague.

In the last four or five years I’ve gotten into regenerative medicine: PRP injections, stem cell injections, an injection called A2M, and gel injections. These give some patients alternatives to surgery.

Brig Woods: People misunderstand sports medicine as only for young athletes; it’s for all ages.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Absolutely. I’m in my 50s and still active. I’m a sports medicine guy.

Brig Woods: What are early warning signs someone shouldn’t ignore — signs to see an orthopedic surgeon?

Dr. Doug Klaus: If something’s persistent. Everyone will flare something occasionally — a week or two should often resolve. If pain or dysfunction persists for three or four weeks and isn’t improving, that suggests something more. It could be structural tissue damage or a motor deficit — muscle weakness or imbalance. I see people who keep working out with poor mechanics; they’re overloading a joint and perpetuating the problem. If it’s persistent, get evaluated.

Brig Woods: Enforcing the poor mechanics.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Right. It’s common to see functional problems even without structural damage. Muscle imbalances can overload part of a joint, and continuing to train with poor mechanics just adds stress.

Brig Woods: So how does your care complement physical therapy or other providers? Do you take a multidisciplinary approach?

Dr. Doug Klaus: I have this conversation multiple times a day. When I evaluate someone with chronic pain I ask myself four possible causes: structural, mechanical, systemic, and stressors (mental). Structural is tissue damage — a torn rotator cuff, for example — which imaging helps identify. Mechanical is movement-related: motor deficiencies, weakness, tightness, poor mechanics. Systemic includes inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or factors like weight that affect joints. Stressors are mental or life stress that can amplify pain. A diagnosis often includes a mix of these, so we need to look at all four.

For example, if someone has knee pain, we assess: is there structural damage? Are there mechanical deficits? Is there a systemic issue like inflammation or weight contributing? Are stressors affecting their pain perception? Then we tailor a plan. Maybe PT to address mechanics, weight loss efforts for systemic load, injections or surgery for structural defects, or referrals to rheumatology for inflammatory diseases. Addressing all applicable factors produces the best outcomes.

Brig Woods: I know when I’m in a Hashimoto’s flare, my knees feel worse.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Exactly. If you don’t take the time to figure that out you might assume an arthritic flare and only do a cortisone injection. But you should also discuss managing the Hashimoto’s.

Brig Woods: What happens when people delay care?

Dr. Doug Klaus: You limit options. Take osteoarthritis: early on, many treatments are on the table — PT, cortisone for flares, biologic injections, even smaller surgeries. If you wait until cartilage is gone, injections and PT might be less effective; often the only option left is joint replacement. Surgery is still a good option, but waiting narrows choices.

Brig Woods: Straight to the TKA.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Right. When you’re bone-on-bone, injections aren’t as helpful and PT might not be as effective. Getting in earlier increases treatment options.

Brig Woods: So if somebody was hesitant about reaching out, what would you want them to know?

Dr. Doug Klaus: There’s no commitment by seeing an orthopedic surgeon. You can get evaluated and informed. For example, if I see someone with potential spine issues and I think surgery might be needed, I’ll let them know — but I’m not a spine surgeon. What’s the harm in talking to someone, getting information, and then making an informed decision? Ultimately, the decision is the patient’s. Without information it’s hard to choose well. It never hurts to get information.

Brig Woods: Sometimes people worry they’ll disappoint the provider by not committing to surgery.

Dr. Doug Klaus: I view it as a team effort. I give my opinion, but if a patient isn’t bought in, I don’t want to do surgery. If a patient says, “I don’t want surgery,” that’s fine. If they’re not committed, it’s not the right decision. I want a patient who is bought in.

Brig Woods: What’s the best way for somebody to get in touch or book a visit?

Dr. Doug Klaus: You can find us online at azurehealthcare.org. You can also call (480) 899-4333. Google me. We’re in the Chandler/Gilbert area, and we also have offices in Gold Canyon and Maricopa — those three locations.

Brig Woods: It doesn’t get easier than that.

Dr. Doug Klaus: It’s pretty easy. You’ll find us. If you’re in those areas, we can help.

Brig Woods: For a first-time patient, what should they expect during the initial appointment?

Dr. Doug Klaus: Lots of paperwork. We had to implement a new EHR system; today was day one of the transition, so you have to redo forms and it’s painful. Unfortunately, for the first appointment that’s the nature of the beast. I usually try to block off extra time for first patients so we can get to know each other and have a meaningful conversation about what’s going on and all the options. I might overload some people with information sometimes.

Brig Woods: Yeah, I get it. Any final thoughts for someone silently struggling with shoulder or knee pain who isn’t sure where to start?

Dr. Doug Klaus: I don’t think people understand how many options there are. Many treatments don’t involve surgery. I love surgery — I became a surgeon for a reason — but I love doing it when it’s the right patient at the right time. Not everyone needs surgery. If someone is hesitant, at least come in and get information so you know your options. You might be surprised at what can help.

Brig Woods: I’m busy and got a lot going on, so I appreciate you sitting down and telling us about your practice and why you do what you do. If anyone needs help, Dr. Doug Klaus is the man.

Dr. Doug Klaus: Well, thank you, big man. You’re awesome. I appreciate it.