Most appointments take between 30-40 minutes, where we will ask a lot of questions, so be prepared! During this consultation we will do an assessment, and then prepare a treatment plan for you, and start the treatment.

No, you do not need to see your doctor for a referral unless you are claiming under the DVA or EPC arrangements.

There is street parking, but as Sutherland is a very busy hub, we recommend that you arrive well before your appointment time as we can never predict how busy the parking is going to be.

Podiatry consultations are covered under private health care insurance and in some instances is partially covered by Medicare when referred by your G.P. To find out the value of a consult, or to make an appointment please phone our reception staff.

Appointments can be made by contacting our reception staff on (02) 9542 3491 or by booking online here at our website (click “Book Online”).

Payment is required at the time of treatment. Payment can be made with cash, debit card or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Depending on your private health insurance arrangements, we have an HICAPS facility, which lets you claim on the spot and then only need to cover the gap. Please bring your private health insurance card to take advantage of HICAPS. EPC claims will need to be processed in full, and then we can then claim them through Medicare for you.

Rebates are available on all of our services through your private health insurance, depending on your level of cover. If your health fund is not registered for HICAPS, we will supply you with a receipt to claim your rebate back. Please be aware that amounts vary between insurance companies and we recommend that you contact your insurer for more information regarding your individual cover.

Foot orthoses are inserts for your shoes that are designed to support, align, or improve the function of the foot. They are also commonly referred to as ‘orthotics’. Orthoses fit comfortably inside your shoes. There are many different types of orthoses. There are preform orthoses that are ‘off the shelf’, but we recommend prescription orthoses, that are custom-made to suit your individual needs.

The main purpose of an orthoses is to improve our foot function and for most people orthoses will reduce pain and will help prevent future problems and injury. Orthoses do a lot more than just supporting your arches. They stabilise the foot and ankle, re-align the feet and restore faulty foot function. Additionally, orthoses provide an even weight distribution and take the pressure of sore spots from heels, ball of the foot, corns and between toes, and bunions. Orthoses also support the transversal arch of the foot. I.e. the arch that runs across the forefoot, formed by the metatarsal bones. As a result of excess pronation, the forefoot structure tends to collapses, which means the metatarsal bones drop, causing problems in the ball of the foot.

There are two main types of orthoses: off –the-shelf(generic) devices such as those sold in shoe shops, chemists and some podiatry clinics, and custom made devices (both soft and firm) which are far more complex and are made specifically for your feet. These are available in a variety of shapes and styles to suit your lifestyle and footwear.

Custom made orthoses are the result of your relevant history, a biomechanical assessment of your gait and plaster casts or scans of your feet. The shell of our custom made orthoses are created from polypropylene or carbon fibre, materials which are harder wearing and last at least 3-5 years for adults, usually longer with normal wear. Because these devices are custom made they will accommodate your lifestyle and level of physical activity. Custom made orthoses can also be adjusted as required, usually after 12 to 18 months of use.
Off-the-shelf (pre-form) devices are of a generic design and are sized from small to extra large. These devices generally have a shorter life than custom made orthoses. Whilst perform orthoses do not offer the same level of specificity of function they can offer quick and short term pain relief. We offer a range of orthotics at the Narelle Montgomery Podiatry, dependent upon the nature of the problem being treated, the cause of the problem and the lifestyle of our patient. A thorough biomechanical assessment of the patient is always essential before a decision on the most appropriate style of orthoses can be made.

People of all ages with a variety of problems of the feet or lower leg wear orthoses. Sports people are often prescribed orthoses by their podiatrist to correct their gait pattern, to help maximize their performance and to help their recovery from injury. Anyone suffering from chronic foot pain such as heel pain or a lower limb condition which is limiting their mobility or independence, may benefit from wearing orthotics.

Our podiatrists may prescribe orthotics for your particular foot problem after a comprehensive assessment. They will consider the way your body moves (your biomechanics), your footwear, and your occupational and lifestyle environment. Orthoses provide long-term solutions in the treatment and prevention of corns, calluses and ulceration by redistributing the pressure of the body’s weight on the feet. Orthoses also help with the rehabilitation of acute and chronic foot conditions such as tendinosis, recurrent ankle sprains and stress fractures, by providing consistent postural control.