Podiatrist St Helena

Opening hours

• Tuesday 8.30am–6pm — every week
• Thursday 8.30am–1pm — every week
• Saturday 8.30am–1pm — fortnightly

The Saturday morning clinic runs one week in two. It books out first, so if a weekend appointment is the only thing that works around your job, book further ahead than you would for a weekday.

Finding the Mediplex Centre

The clinic sits inside the Mediplex Centre at 212 Aquaduct Road, St Helena. Aquaduct Road runs through the middle of the suburb, so most people coming from Greensborough, Eltham or Diamond Creek find it a short drive rather than a trip into traffic. Once you are inside the centre, head to reception and let them know you are here for podiatry.

We suggest arriving five or ten minutes before your appointment the first time. That gives you a moment to find the right door, fill in your details and settle in, which matters more than it sounds if you are bringing a child or walking with a stick.

If you are not sure where to park, or you are planning to come by public transport and want to work out the simplest route, ring us on (03) 9111 0085 before you set out. It is a quick call and we would far rather talk you in than have you circling the block. The same goes if steps or distance are difficult for you: tell us when you book and we will set the appointment up so you are not hurrying.

What we treat at St Helena

This is a general podiatry room, which means most of what walks through the door is everyday foot trouble that has been going on a bit too long. Common reasons people book here include:

• Heel and arch pain, including plantar fasciitis that has not settled with rest
• Ingrown toenails and nail surgery when a nail keeps coming back sore
• Corns and callus that keep rebuilding in the same spot
• Diabetes foot assessments, including circulation and nerve testing
• Custom and prefabricated orthotics, plus honest footwear advice
• Children’s feet, from toe walking and flat feet to growing pains
• Sports injuries, shin splints and suspected stress fractures

We also treat knee and hip pain that traces back to the way you load your feet, warts, blisters and general skin and nail care. If you are not sure whether your problem is one we handle, the full services list is a good place to start, or just ask when you ring.

Your first appointment, step by step

The first visit is mostly about working out why the problem started, not just quietening it down. We ask about your history: how long it has hurt, what makes it worse, what you have already tried, your work, your sport, and any health conditions such as diabetes or arthritis that change how we approach things.

Then we look. That usually means watching how you stand and walk, checking joint movement and muscle strength through the foot and lower limb, and putting hands on the painful structures to confirm what is irritated. Bring the shoes you actually wear most, and your runners or work boots if they are relevant. Worn shoes tell us a great deal about loading patterns, and it is one of the fastest ways to explain what is going on.

You leave with a plan you can repeat at home, not a vague instruction to rest. Depending on the problem that might be strapping, a change of footwear, specific loading exercises, nail or skin treatment on the day, or a discussion about whether orthotic therapy is genuinely worth it for you. Our guide on whether you need orthotics covers how we make that call.

Health fund rebates are processed on the spot through HICAPS, so you only pay the gap. If you have a chronic condition, your GP may be able to put you on an Enhanced Primary Care plan for Medicare rebates on a set number of visits each year. Bring the referral form if you have one.

Who we look after around here

This clinic serves St Helena along with Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Diamond Creek, Research and Watsonia. It is a pocket of Melbourne with a lot of families and a lot of long-term residents, and the appointment book reflects that.

On the family side, we see plenty of school-aged children: sore heels during growth spurts, feet that roll in, and parents who want a straight answer about whether the shoes on the shelf are worth the money. If that is you, our piece on choosing school shoes saves a lot of guesswork before you go shopping.

We also look after a good number of older patients, including people managing diabetes, arthritis or circulation problems who need regular, careful nail and skin care from someone who knows their history. The unhurried pace of this room is deliberate. Nobody is being moved along, and if something new turns up during a routine visit we have time to look at it properly.

Then there are the walkers, runners and weekend footballers of the north east, who tend to arrive when a niggle has become a limp. Earlier is better with those. You can read more about our approach and our podiatrists on the about page, or see all four clinics on the locations page.

Common questions

This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Reviewed by Gideon Poratt, Principal Podiatrist (B.App.Sc (Pod), M.A.Pod.A), a member of the Australian Podiatry Association. Please book an assessment for advice specific to your feet.