Innovative Treatments

Dr. Daniel Saunders continues to bring state of the art innovation to Arizona , and is versatile in many new techniques designed to help patients return to activity as soon as possible. By combining sports medicine techniques and the latest advances in physical therapy, patients are able to return to activity and work much sooner than years past. Metro Foot & Ankle has in-house X-ray facilities and ultrasound to assist in early diagnosis and treatment.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrate derived from your peripheral blood that is now an FDA-approved treatment used in sports medicine and orthopedics. The main benefits of PRP are thought to be caused by growth factors released from the platelets, which are beneficial in the role of healing and provide therapeutic effects.
The body has an amazing capacity to heal itself. When the body becomes injured, a natural healing process occurs to repair the damaged tissue. The body signals platelets and other components in our blood supply to migrate to the site of injury. Under normal conditions, these platelets release a variety of factors that initiate and subsequently promote healing.
New advances in medicine have been developed to harness and concentrate these platelets to be precisely introduced to the injury site in an injectable form. When PRP is injected into the site of pain or pathology, outcomes have included reduced pain, symptom relief and improved performance and function.
PRP therapy is a quick and easy treatment option that is minimally-invasive, all-natural and low-risk. It is safer than other injection treatments because we do not use artificial components or additives. We simply take and harness your own healing ability, concentrate it, and apply it directly to the source. Excellent choice for sprains, tendonitis, and partial tendon tears.

Amnio

Human amniotic membrane is comprised of the innermost layer of the placenta and lines the amniotic cavity. The "stem cell " membrane cells are composed of multiple different proteins, and growth factors that are influential in cell development and healing.
Amniotic tissue injection therapy is a quick and easy treatment option that is minimally-invasive, all-natural and low-risk option for tendon injuries, sprains, and arthritis.

Cold Laser Therapy

MLS laser therapy is cleared by FDA and a proved successful treatment option.
Tendon and ligament injuries  ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis
Sore Muscles  shin splints, calf pain
Arthritis degenerative joint disease foot and ankle
Chronic pain
Neuropathy including diabetic nerve pain
Pre-and Post Operative treatments improve outcomes
Anti inflammatory to avoid chronic usage of medication
Peripheral Vascular Disease
The latest advancement in rehab and pain management utilizes the MLS cold laser. The therapy drastically reduces inflammation and pain immediately and is pain free. The laser allows for regeneration of injured tissues by improving the environment of the tissues. It immediately activates pain receptors to decrease pain stimuli, and reduce inflammatory markers and swelling. By decreasing the swelling and limiting pain receptors, patients are able to return to activity much sooner than rest alone.

ARP Wave

Another new and exciting therapy modality is the ARP WAVE program.
This comprehensive treatment reconditions the neuromuscular pathway- restoring function, improving flexibility, reducing edema, and resolving pain.
There are many foot and ankle conditions for which this therapy is an excellent choice:
Pain ( acute or chronic)
Sport injuries (commonly used in professional sports - can ask for reference)
Tendonitis
Plantar Fasciitis
Shin splints, muscle tear
Neuropathy or other nerve conditions
RSD
Post operative recovery

Radio Frequency

The Topaz Procedure (or Topaz MicroDebrider) is a FDA minimally invasive, state-of-the-art procedure used to treat chronic Achilles tendonitis and chronic plantar fasciitis. Topaz is intended for patients who have not received satisfactory symptom relief from more conservative treatments, such as orthotics, physical therapy, stretching, massage or injections.
The Topaz wand uses cobalation technologies, which are radio frequency waves that gently cause microscopic "trauma" to the scar tissue your body hasn't yet been able to heal. The procedure restarts the healing process by increasing the growth factors in the damaged tissue region. The strategically placed Topaz wand greatly minimizes any damage to surrounding healthy tissue.