Please read through our list of frequently asked questions below as this may answer a question you may have without the need to make an appointment.
Please note: All answers and information provided herein should not be considered professional or personal medical advice and is for general information purposes only.
If you believe you may require medical assistance or have an unaddressed issue please see a doctor, appropriate health care professional or in an emergency, dial 000.
This can vary greatly, and depends on the treatment required, however most general nail care and skin issues, including corns and callus require a regular consultation every 6 – 8 weeks. Please note that this may vary and it is best to consult with a podiatrist to better guide you on regularity of visits.
If you are a non-DVA or chronic sufferer of a related disease or ailment, then you do not require a referral to see one of our specialists. For DVA and sufferers of a chronic issue, you may be entitled to a discount or subsidy from the government or your private health insurer.
A to Z has an on-site Hicaps facility, allowing for instant claiming from your private health insurer.
If you’ve been referred to us by a general practioner or specialist, and have been approved and enrolled by your doctor for Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) then you may claim podiatry consultations/appointments under Medicare. Please contact us regarding bulk billing, but in most cases we can accomodate this for our patients.
Podiatrists have a degree qualification, whereas the chiropodist has a diploma. A podiatrist is able to diagnose a condition and are also trained in some foot surgery including in grown nails. Chiropodists may do neither. Chiros from the Greek refered to both the hands and the feet, whereas, Pod refers to feet.
In the near future podiatry will be widely recognised as having various specialisations, examples of these specialisations include:
General Podiatry – involving the assessment and treatment of foot complaints including corns, warts, nail care and skin care issues. This may also involve minor surgery including removal of nail spikes under a local anaesthetic
High Risk Foot Podiatry – providing a neurological and vascular assessment and treatment for patients with fragile skin and those with ulcers as a result from conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or peripheral arterial disease
Sports Podiatry – those podiatrists with an interest in biomechanical and muscle training for improvements in their chosen sport. Strapping and taping for sports related injuries and orthotic and footwear advice may be required.
Podiatric Surgery – this is a specialised area, where a podiatrist has continued further education and training to be recognised as a surgeon and is able to perform bone and muscle surgery on the feet including hammer toe reduction and bunionectomy.
All forms of general nail and skin care including corns, callus and thick discoloured nails, advice and treatment for cracked heels, flat feet and ingrown nails and of course orthotic management, footwear advice and reports to the referring GP or specialist. We are also able to provide a referral for radiology to gain a better understanding of what the issue with the foot may be.
At A to Z Orthotics and Podiatry, the orthotist has experience in the manufacture of orthotics and can correct the orthotics on site with minimal delay. The orthotist is familiar with the materials required and costs are generally kept to a minimum as no lab is required in cases for manufacture.
If you are still growing, you will require a review annually as you would also require your orthotics to be reviewed if pain and discomfort or the material is no longer providing adequate support of the foot. Our feet change with age and therefore the required prescription may also change.
This depends on the type of orthotics that you have been prescribed and for what use they are intended and your podiatrist and orthotists are best suited to guide you for the best footwear choices.
No referral is required for private patients and there may be a rebate offered for patients with private health insurance with extras cover.