Moving in the Right Direction

This purpose-driven orthopedic practice delivers results through a health and wellness mindset and evidenced-based care provided at the right time in the right setting.

Story by Ann Butenas  |  Sponsored Content

When you need trusted and experienced orthopedic care, it is important to go straight to a team of   highly-trained experts who can efficiently diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries, providing accurate diagnosis and treatment plans so you can recover as quickly and safely as possible. Welcome to Sano Orthopedics, where returning patients to health is their passion. With an emphasis on promoting a healthy and whole mind and body, Sano Orthopedics understands the complex system that is the musculoskeletal system and works ambitiously and enthusiastically to improve the way that type of care is delivered in the metro Kansas City area through its outstanding team and unique culture. While there is definitely a time and a place for treatment and intervention, this team of specialists looks beyond the horizon into prevention and desired outcomes that open the door to improved function and a return to physical activity, no matter one’s age.

~  Dr. Matt Daggett

But first: musculoskeletal health 101

When you have good musculoskeletal health, you can presumably engage in activities of daily living easily and without discomfort. Your musculoskeletal system is an integral component of your overall health. It is what provides your body with structure and the ability to move. Plus, the musculoskeletal system acts as an endocrine system which is fired up by exercise, interacting with other bodily organs via biochemical signaling.

Put a bit more simply, in order for your body to move with ease and stability, your bones, muscles, ligaments, joints and associated tissues simply need to work well together for you to be able to go about your day pain-free and with ease. When those are disrupted, problems arise.

Musculoskeletal disorders are a leading cause of disability in the United States, adversely impacting a person’s quality of life and longevity. Among the musculoskeletal conditions include osteoporosis, bone and joint issues, arthritis, bone fractures and even certain types of cancers. As one ages, these issues can become more complicated.

Discover the answers you need…and deserve

Fortunately, there is a team of talented orthopedic physicians and surgeons in the Kansas City area whose primary focus is on the musculoskeletal system. Whether it involves your knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, spine, hands or is the result of an athletic injury, this team of experts stands at the ready to not only address and fix the problem, but to direct you on the path to overall health, wellness, and prevention through a holistic approach.

“We want to deliver the right evidenced-based care at the right time in the right setting,” expressed Dr. Matt Daggett, founding member of Sano Orthopedics and Board-Certified/Fellowship-trained orthopedic knee and shoulder expert. “Our practice was founded with a mission to improve the way musculoskeletal care is delivered in KC.”

~  Dr. Kevin Witte

Education + Experience = Excellence

Upon graduating from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Dr. Daggett earned his MBA in Healthcare Leadership from Rockhurst University. He is fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine from the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama and in disorders of the shoulder from the Centre Orthopedique Santy in Lyon, France. He is board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Daggett and his team of physicians are involved in continued research with the goal of obtaining improved outcomes through the use of the latest in techniques, technologies, and innovation. In addition to an impressive resume of over 60 published articles, Dr. Daggett is frequently shadowed by other surgeons who realize the extensive knowledge and expertise Dr. Daggett offers.

Since Dr. Daggett founded the practice in 2016, it has grown appreciably and now has three locations, which includes an orthopedic urgent care “walk-in” clinic in Lee’s Summit. It moved into a new state-of-the-art facility in Lee’s Summit last February, which was a saving grace when Covid hit KC. “The spacious layout of our new facility and launching the walk-in clinic was well-received during the tough times of Covid, and they continue to help our community as Covid continues,” says Joe Whetstone, Chief Operating Officer at Sano. Five surgeons also work alongside Dr. Daggett: Dr. Kevin Witte, Dr. Tim Roberts, Dr. Stephanie de Vere, Dr. Matt Cullen, Dr. Alexander Palmer. Sano has six Physician Assistants, and it started a Bone Health and Wellness Clinic this spring, which helps to diagnose and treat osteoporosis. 

“Our goal is to have a bigger community impact,” added Dr. Tim Roberts, hip and knee specialist at Sano. “We are a younger group that is willing to change as times change, and health care shouldn’t lag behind.”

~  Dr. Stephanie de Vere

Growth is the result of like-minded professionals working together

MidAmerica Orthopedics KC will be joining forces with Sano this fall. MAO KC is a group of like-minded physicians who embrace the Sano philosophy: combining compassionate and value-based care with innovative techniques and a focus on the prevention of injuries.

“We want to help improve access and provide new service lines,” noted Dr. Daggett. “We also want to influence how care is delivered in the community as a whole.”

Dr. Daggett’s underlying vision is to improve musculoskeletal health of the community. Granted, orthopedic medicine is needed to repair a broken bone, but it doesn’t restore health.

“We need to focus on prevention and the life cycle of musculoskeletal health, keeping people healthier in a value-based way,” reflected Dr. Daggett.

“Fifty percent of injuries in youth sports is from overuse,” says Kevin Witte, sports medicine physician who shares a passion for injury prevention. “We want to arm parents, coaches and athletes with information on how to avoid such injuries. We also want to provide access to patients. Going to the ER or delaying treatment can be costly, so we have a walk-in clinic available, making it an easy place to access with the best possible care.”

~  Dr. Matt Cullen & Dr. Tim Roberts

Doing the right thing first, not last

At Sano Orthopedics, the doctors are reimbursed not on the procedures they perform but on patient satisfaction. This relates to Dr. Daggett’s philosophy that musculoskeletal health starts with the right doctors who care about the right stuff.

Sano Orthopedics currently has six surgeons on staff and an expansive team of mid-level providers, as well as athletic trainers who focus on the holistic musculoskeletal health life cycle.

“We want to get back to basics in healthcare and keep people healthy,” stated Dr. Daggett. “That is why we focus on the foundational aspects of creating and maintaining health. Our goal is to deliver value-based care to the community. Care is and can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be. We want to hit that reset button and focus on outcomes and experiences. Health care is too important and costly to remain the same, so something has to change.”

Sano Orthopedics welcomes fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alexander Palmer 

Innovation. Patient care. Quality. Those are the words that immediately come to mind when you meet Dr. Alexander Palmer. To those sentiments, he does not just give lip service. It is a way of life for Dr. Palmer, and when it comes to overall patient care, he not only stands at the forefront of inventive approaches to patient care, but he also delivers his gifts with a heart of compassion and consistent acts of kindness.

Dr. Palmer recently joined the Sano Orthopedics practice and is eager to help elevate this group with his skills and expertise, coupled with unwavering enthusiasm for the Sano Orthopedics philosophy. “I am excited to be part of a positive culture here at Sano Orthopedics, which cares about overall patient health and wellness,” emphasized Dr. Palmer. “While we are reactive when needed as situations arise, our main focus is on proactive, preventative and maintenance care.”

~  Dr. Alexander Palmer  

Education and training leads to integrity and trust

Raised in Springfield, Missouri, Dr. Palmer obtained his undergraduate degree at Drury University and then completed medical school at Kansas City University.  He did his residency in orthopedics at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation South Pointe Hospital and also completed an additional year of fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. During his fellowship, Dr. Palmer acquired comprehensive knowledge through fellowship-specific training in hand and upper extremity surgery, which included a wide spectrum of reconstructive and arthroscopic surgeries, as well as extensive trauma training.

“I really enjoy the instant gratification from orthopedic surgery in general, working with someone who has an obvious problem and providing an effective solution for that problem,” expressed   Dr. Palmer. “With hand surgery in particular, it is vital to return function to the hand.”

Dr. Palmer indicated hand surgery is sort of an umbrella term used in myriad ways. It can include wrist to fingers, elbow to fingers and shoulder to fingers. For Dr. Palmer, however, it simply translates to a passion for what he does.

“I enjoy entire upper extremity; shoulder to fingertip,” he noted.

Letting innovation take the lead

Dr. Palmer was fortunate to work with some leading surgeons during his residency at the Cleveland Clinic.

“There was a high level of expertise there, coupled with complex problems on which to focus,” he said. “In my fellowship, I experienced a robust in-office surgery program and am working toward establishing this same type of program here at Sano Orthopedics wherein patients can have a procedure done while awake in our office. This can be done during their lunch hour, for example, and is individualized through evidenced-based medicine to  maximize efficiency and cost control.”

For shoulder replacement procedures, Dr. Palmer plans to use a bone-preserving system called Arthrosurface, a minimally-invasive and clinically-proven application designed to help patients return to a healthy lifestyle.

“Not many specialists use this system in the area, but it will be a part of my practice,” indicated Dr. Palmer. “This could be ideal for anyone looking for a bone-preserving surgery.”

Among Dr. Palmer’s clinical specialties are carpal tunnel syndrome; hand and wrist pain; in-office hand procedures; upper extremity fracture management; cubital tunnel syndrome; hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder arthroscopy; and shoulder arthritis.

When not at work, Dr. Palmer enjoys spending time with his wife and their four children; playing soccer and being outdoors; and committing his time to church and various medical mission trips.

816.525.2840    |    SanoOrthopedics.com