For athletes, an injury can feel like more than just physical pain. It can mean missing games, losing a season, or watching teammates compete from the sidelines. At Sano Specialty Care, the goal isn't simply to treat an injury. It's to help patients safely return to the activities they love as quickly as possible.
Serving the Kansas City metro, Sano has built its practice around making orthopedic care easier to access and more connected. With walk-in orthopedic clinics in Leawood, Lee's Summit and Raymore, specialized physicians, and surgery centers in Leawood and Lee's Summit, every step of the patient's journey is designed to eliminate delays and keep recovery moving forward.
"Our growth has always been intentional, focused on removing friction for patients, improving outcomes, and creating a healthcare experience that feels more personalized and easier to navigate," says founder Dr. Matt Daggett.
Unlike a traditional urgent care or emergency room, Sano's walk-in orthopedic clinics are designed specifically for bone, joint and muscle injuries. Patients can walk in without an appointment, receive on-site imaging, bracing and evaluation from orthopedic specialists, and, if needed, seamlessly transition into follow-up care or surgery.
"The biggest advantage is that patients are getting the right care right away from a team that specializes in exactly what they're dealing with," says Dr. Kevin Witte. "Everything is coordinated, which reduces stress and uncertainty during what's often an unexpected situation."
That coordinated approach has made a meaningful difference for student athletes working to stay in the game.
When Gavin Laskey, a student at Shawnee Mission East, tore the meniscus in his right knee, his injury immediately put his active lifestyle on hold.
"I was no weight bearing for two weeks and had to end my track season before it started, as well as give up on any summer wrestling opportunities," Gavin says.
After treatment through Sano and surgery at Beacon, the physician-led outpatient surgery center located in the same building as the clinic, Gavin was back doing what he loves in just over two months.
"My experience at Sano was good because I was able to return to my sports after a little more than two months," he says.
For McDonald's All-American, USA Basketball team member and University of Texas recruit Addison Bjorn, an injury threatened much more than a season. It put her scholarship opportunities, future career and ability to compete at the next level at risk.
"I expected an injury to slow me down and keep me off the court for a while, but Sano was focused on finding ways to help me recover and get back to 100%. They made the whole process a lot less stressful than I expected," Addison says.
She credits the care team's communication and guidance with giving her the confidence to continue competing throughout her recovery.
"The biggest thing was the trust I had in my medical team," she says. "They explained everything clearly, monitored my progress closely, and made sure I was ready before every step back onto the court."
For Addison, being able to stay active during recovery meant everything.
"It meant everything. As an athlete, you put so much work into your season, and for me it wasn't just about getting back on the court. It was about protecting the opportunities I'd worked so hard for and making sure I could continue pursuing my career at the next level instead of watching from the sidelines," she says.
She says her treatment plan allowed her to continue progressing instead of putting her season completely on hold.
"The treatment plan was great as I was able to return to competition in a reasonable time frame," Addison says. "It allowed me to practice, compete, and continue improving while my body healed instead of having to completely shut things down for months."
Luke Franke, a Leawood resident preparing to attend Kansas State University, experienced a similar journey after suffering a bucket-handle meniscus tear.
"The injury affected me very heavily because before I was really active and would do a lot of different activities in my free time," Luke says. "When I got hurt there was nothing for me to do but rest."
Luke first visited one of Sano's orthopedic walk-in clinics, where Dr. Witte immediately suspected a meniscus tear. An MRI quickly confirmed the diagnosis, and surgery was scheduled at Beacon, allowing treatment to move forward without unnecessary delays.
Today, Luke is back to enjoying recreational basketball, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and an active lifestyle.
"Being able to return to my activities has helped my confidence," he says. "It's really hard to stay positive when you're stuck on crutches and just have to watch. Being able to get back has helped a tremendous amount."
According to Sano's physicians, stories like Gavin's, Luke's and Addison's illustrate why early orthopedic care matters so much for young athletes.
"When an injury occurs, it doesn't just impact them physically," Dr. Daggett says. "It can interrupt routines, team dynamics and a sense of momentum they've worked hard to build."
Receiving specialized orthopedic care early not only helps ensure the injury is diagnosed correctly from the start, but can also improve recovery time while giving athletes and their families confidence throughout the healing process.
Looking back, Addison believes receiving specialized care made a significant difference in her season.
"Without the care I received, I probably would have missed a part of the season and definitely wouldn't have been able to perform at the level I expected from myself," she says. "It gave me the opportunity to keep contributing to my team while preserving the opportunity to continue my career at the next level."
She also has simple advice for other athletes facing an injury.
"Don't ignore it, and don't try to tough it out on your own," Addison says. "Find a medical team you trust, follow the treatment plan, and be patient with the process. Getting the right care early can make a huge difference in your recovery and your ability to keep competing."
Sano's specialists treat everything from sports injuries and fractures to shoulder, hip, knee, spine, hand and foot conditions. Rather than focusing only on the injury itself, each treatment plan is built around the patient's personal goals, whether that's competing in varsity athletics, enjoying weekend pickleball or simply staying active.
"We focus on helping people return to the activities and routines they value most," Dr. Daggett says. "Whether it's a young athlete, a weekend competitor or someone simply wanting to stay active, we want every patient to experience a team that listens, communicates clearly and genuinely cares about their goals."
For active families throughout the Kansas City metro, that philosophy means an injury doesn't have to define the season. With specialized care, coordinated treatment and a focus on getting patients safely back in motion, Sano helps athletes spend less time on the sidelines and more time doing what they love.
For more information, visit https://sanokc.com/.