Dr Alan Nguyen Physiatrist

In this episode of ‘Interview the Expert’ Joel speaks with Dr Alan Nguyen D.O. Physiatrist specialising in interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine. Dr Nguyans extensive training allows him to provide cutting-edge minimally-invasive interventional spine procedures and also effective nonsurgical management and rehabilitation strategies, ensuring optimal outcomes and rapid recovery. Dr Nguyan is also a ringside/cageside doctor for the UFC and Bellator MMA organisations.

Chaptered topics include:

00:15 - Welcome to Dr Alan Nguyan who practices Physical Medicine Rehabilitation and Physiatry in Fort Meyers Florida. Dr Nguyan previously worked in rehabilitation for post catastrophic events.

3:10 - A clinician that has had the experience. The shock of having a spine issue yourself.

5:40 - Herniated cervical discs and surgical intervention or not. Epidural injections do not heal the problem but they can manage the symptoms.

7:15 - The anti-inflammatory effect of an appropriate injection can help with disc re-absorption. The introduction of Dextrose injections rather than steroid injections? 

11:05 - The downside of injections. Physician experience is very important. Cervical spine especially requires highly skilled and expert physicians.

16:00 - Pain reduction for spine patients. The MILD procedure to de-bulk the ‘ligamentum flavum’ and to relieve any pressure on the spinal cord.

19:15 - Intracept procedure also called the Basivertebral Nerve Ablation. Very successful minimally invasive procedure but very much depends on the patient symptoms.

23:45 - Can the Intracept procedure be used with discogenic pain? 

27:10 - Annular tears and intra disc injections using anti-inflammatories and / or PRP (Platelet-rich plasma).

28:30 - Disc degeneration is in theory a one way street so what is the PRP doing? PRP in theory helps or optimises healing.

30:45 - Annular tears post PRP. MRI have shown changes in the Annular tear.

33:05 - The US use of stem cells. It’s very expensive but does have some very positive anecdotal stories and results.

38:30 - Physical activity / therapy is emphasised to all patients but needs to be tailored to the individual. Individuals can be in too much pain to exercise so diet can become the focus.

46:00 - Working with overweight patients and surgical planning and the effect on surgical success rates.

50:00 - How can patients reach Dr Nguyan? Telemedicine is coming. Message him via Insta or his Linktree.