Tony Pham, DC
What are Dr. Pham's educational achievements?
Dr. Tony Vu Pham was accepted and attended Nursing School at the University of Texas at Arlington. He wanted to pursue something more hands on and fulfilling. He wanted a deeper level of care for his patients. As life would have it, he discovered Chiropractic while getting treatment from a Chiropractic Intern and decided to take on this new adventure to help those around him - especially athletes.
He went on to graduate from Parker University in Dallas, TX with a Doctorate’s degree in Chiropractic. He knows a multitude of techniques including the Gonstead System, Diversified, Webster, Upper Cervical, and is continuing his education in Active Release Technique (ART) through Dr. Tabassum Ali. He hopes to be certified in this technique in the near future.
What has Dr. Pham been up to?
While at Parker University Dr. Pham was part of the Gonstead Club and Adjusting Ninjas Club consistently practicing his adjusting techniques for the future. When he was in school he spent his breaks to attend two mission trips, 7 days each, to Haiti and Dominican Republic providing
chiropractic care to those in need. On his trips he has helped over a thousand patients from babies to the elderly through Chiropractic care.
5055 W. Park Blvd. #400
Plano, TX 75093
Tibial Fracture
Tabassum Ali, DC, CCSP, CCCN
A tibial fracture can be a result of those involved in a high impact, motor vehicle accident or in sports injuries such as falling while skiing or playing soccer. Anatomically, the calf portion of the lower extremity is composed of the tibia and the fibula with associated soft tissue and vasculature. The tibia is the larger and stronger of the two bones and more commonly known as the shinbone. The tibia connects the knee and the ankle through ligaments and soft tissue. A tibial fracture can have varying degrees of severity and should be consulted with a health care physician. Degrees of a tibial fracture include:
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Stable- broken ends of bone stay aligned with minimal displacement
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Displaced- broken ends of bone do not line up and are displaced; typically requires surgery
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Oblique- break in the bone is at an angle and typically displaced and unstable
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Transverse- break in the bone is horizontal, and can become increasingly unstable if the fibula is also fractured
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Spiral- fracture caused by a torsional force causing a spiral break in the bone and can be unstable
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Comminuted- bone has fractured in more than two places, and very unstable
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Open- fractured bone protrudes through skin; will require surgical repair
Symptoms of a tibial fracture:
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Pain radiating down into the lower leg
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Inability to walk or bear weight on the leg
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Deformity and instability of the leg
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Protrusion of bone through the skin
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Loss of feeling in the foot
When observing the tibial fracture, the clinician should first look for any obvious deformities or protrusions of the skin. Bruising and swelling may also be noted if some time has passed since the injury. The patient may experience pain and report instability of the leg, especially if the fibula is also involved. Further examination should be permitted with imaging, such as X-ray or CT to rule in/out a fracture. Muscle testing and nerve sensation can also be examined to further determine the severity of the tibial fracture. If a fracture is concluded, treatment will depend on the overall health of the patient and the nature of the fracture. With dislocations and breaks in the skin surgical repair is often the treatment of choice, along with casting. Healing time for a tibial fracture can be between 4-6 months and proper care should be rendered to ensure full recovery. Post-surgery or post-casting is the most important stage of recovery for a tibial fracture. During the healing phase scar tissue formation and muscle atrophy has developed and should be targeted. Possible therapy treatments for tibial fracture:
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Addressing the soft tissue scar tissue formation in the lower extremity
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Plasma Rich Protein injections
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Rehabilitative strengthening and conditioning exercises with resistance bands
Approximately 10-12 weeks of therapy will be needed, depending on the severity of the injury, to decrease the pain and strengthen the muscles.
At Lone Star Sport & Spine, we approach injuries in a conservative manner that will give the patient the most weighted benefits. Our providers are board certified chiropractors and certified in full body Active Release Technique. We examine the patient and determine the most effective and fastest treatment plan for them. Our goal is not only to get the athlete back out on the field doing what they love to do, but to also enhance their athletic performance. We address the scar tissue that is formed from micro tears in the tissue due to overuse or previous injuries and develop a program to strengthen and train the muscles to be used functionally. Most all of our patients find results within a few treatments with decreased pain, and increased range of motion, strength, and balance. The second phase of therapy, strength and conditioning, is the most important aspect of the treatment to prevent future injuries.
In summary, to address a tibial fracture:
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Address the scar tissue in associated soft tissue
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Strengthen and condition the calf muscles to prevent future injury (sport specific functional training)
Check our website for more information and to book an appointment today at www.lonestarsportandspine.com
Works Cited
"Tibia (Shinbone) Shaft Fractures-OrthoInfo - AAOS." Tibia (Shinbone) Shaft Fractures-OrthoInfo - AAOS. Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Mar. 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. <http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00522>.
Antonova, Evgeniya, T. Kim Le, Russel Burge, and John Mershon. "Abstract." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Jan. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573940/>.
Nguyen, Rosalyn T., MD, Joanne Borg-Stein, MD, and Kelly McInnis, DO. "Applications of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach." American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Elsevier Inc., 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. <http://www.pmrjournal.org/article/S1934-1482(10)01339-0/abstract>.