Mr Goldbloom offers the following patient information. Select a topic to read more:
A letter of referral is required. This often comes from your GP but may also be from another Health Care Professional such as your Podiatrist, Physiotherapist or Medical Specialist. We prefer the referral is received either prior to, or at the time of making your appointment. This is so Mr Goldbloom can arrange any extra scans or obtain any other relevant information to best prepare you for your first appointment.
Mr Goldbloom will take the time to evaluate and discuss your condition. He will ensure you understand your diagnosis, and formulate a treatment plan which may involve further scans, referral to an Allied Health Practitioner or preparation for surgery.
Mr Goldbloom must be able to access all imaging and investigations related to your condition. We ask that you please bring the report or at least the details of which radiology company performed the scan and your patient ID (if applicable).
Please call the office on 03 9928 6188 or email info@orthoam.com.au to request an appointment. Once your appointment has been scheduled you will receive a confirmation email.
When you arrive at your appointment you will be requested to complete a Patient Registration Form. You will need to bring the following with you:
If you have a cut or a rash on your leg or think you have an infection this must be treated prior to your surgery. If you have any concerns, please contact Mr Goldbloom’s rooms to discuss this further.
If you are feeling unwell this must be treated prior to your surgery. Please contact Mr Goldbloom’s rooms to discuss this further.
This needs to be double checked with your anaesthetist. Generally, you should take your normal medication with a small sip of water. Patients taking blood thinning medication will have special instructions.
Yes, Mr Goldbloom will see you before your operation.
This depends on your surgery, but usually one night.
Yes, Mr Goldbloom will see you after your operation in hospital.
You will be informed of this appointment time before your surgery.
If you require a work certificate, you can ask whilst you are in hospital or contact Mr Goldbloom’s rooms after surgery.
You may need help at home after your surgery. This needs to be carefully considered and arranged before you have your surgery.
Returning to driving is not a straight-forward question. You must feel confident to use the brake in an emergency situation. You may be able to drive in 4-8 weeks after surgery. This will depend on which foot undergoes surgery, type of surgery, how well you are recovering and whether your car is manual or automatic. Returning to driving may have insurance implications which need to be checked.
These time frames are speculative only and must be confirmed by our team:
Some patients experience more pain than others. This does not mean that the surgery was less successful. It is important to adequately manage your pain. Our team take multiple measures to reduce your pain during the post-operative period. When the local anaesthetic given to you at the time of surgery wears off, you will begin taking oral pain medication as prescribed. Your anaesthetist will discuss issues around pain medication prior to the operation. They will also provide you pain relief to take home.
Swelling is a normal part of healing. It can be very frustrating and although it usually reduces six weeks after surgery, it can last for longer. Rest and elevation are every important to help swelling.
You will be given instructions on how to care for your wound before discharge. Dressings and casts must be kept dry. When you have a shower, you will need to cover your foot with a bag and seal the top with tape. Dressings should remain intact until your 2 week review with Mr Goldbloom and the Wound Nurse Specialist, unless instructed otherwise. If your dressings become very blood stained, wet, too loose or too tight please contact Mr Goldbloom’s rooms to arrange the dressings to be changed.
After foot and ankle surgery, there is risk of developing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). You are given anti-DVT medication in hospital however, If you are planning to travel by aeroplane during the first 3 months, please discuss this with Mr Goldbloom before your surgery.
It is possible that concerns about your operated leg will arise outside of normal working hours. In such a scenario Mr Goldbloom’s team suggests you choose one of the following options depending on how urgent you feel your situation may be.
Download FAQs PDF
Foot and ankle surgery is a specialised area. Every patient is different and Mr Goldbloom will devote time for discussing goals of surgery to achieve the best outcome. It is important that you play your part in ensuring your procedure and recovery run smoothly. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with instructions both pre and post operatively. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask.
Results vary from patient to patient. It can take between 3-12 months to achieve your desired outcome.
This will be related to a number of factors including:
It is very likely you will be required to purchase a foot or ankle support to protect the work done during surgery. You may also require a mobility aid to assist you in getting around. It is worthwhile planning a week in advance to ensure you have time to source the footwear and trial the aids required before your surgery.
Download Foot and Ankle Devices PDF
Fasting is required to make your anaesthetic as safe as possible. The Anaesthetist may cancel your surgery if you are not fasted. Do not eat or drink after:
These time frames are to be adhered to unless our team instruct you otherwise.
Please remove all nail polish and make up. Leave valuables and jewellery at home. Wear loose clothing that you can easily fit over bulky dressings. Please ensure your feet and nails are clean.
When it is safe for you to be discharged, you will need someone to take you home after surgery.
A local anaesthetic will be given to you at the time of surgery. It will provide you with pain relief for approximately 6-18 hours after surgery. As this wears off you will begin to feel tingling or pain in your foot. When this occurs, you should alert the nurses and you will begin taking oral pain medication as prescribed. Your Anaesthetist will provide you pain relief to take home. Your pain must be under control before you go home.
You will have a consultation with Mr Goldbloom and the Wound Nurse Specialist approximately 2-3 weeks after your surgery. Depending on your surgery and needs, you may require further review with Mr Goldbloom.
Download Preparing for Foot & Ankle Surgery & Rehabilitation PDF
There are two stages of post operative rehabilitation in foot and ankle surgery.
Whilst in hospital, you will usually be seen by a Physiotherapist for:
*Once you have passed the early recovery period*, your rehabilitation will be tailored to your exercise goals and achieving a full recovery of the operated foot.
During the early recovery period, you may need help at home. You must follow your post-operative instructions from our team to allow a good outcome.
It is important to rest and keep your foot elevated above the level of your heart for 23 hours a day for the first 2 weeks after your surgery. Elevating of your foot will encourage healing and decrease the chance of wound infection and break down. It will also help with pain and swelling.
In addition to this, some surgeries will require you to ‘non-weight bear’ for anywhere between 2-8 weeks from the time of surgery. This means you can rest the affected leg on the ground with no more than one kilogram of weight through that leg.
In some cases you will only be required to ‘partial weight bear’ (eg. 50% of your bodyweight), after surgery. A reasonably good way to understand this is to weigh yourself and then place only one leg on the scales with increasing weight until it reaches half your bodyweight.
We advise using the time leading up to surgery to anticipate issues with following your post-operative instructions and prepare accordingly. For example, if you live with family who are dependent on you. Options may include home help assistance through your local council, respite care or a period of inpatient rehabilitation after your surgery. This should be discussed with our team at consultation.
Following surgery, there are a few options for ambulation. A hands-free option is the i-Walk 2.0.
This is suitable for people with:
The i-Walk device has a 90 degree splint for the lower leg to rest on.
The bottom of the i-Walk then functions as a peg like substitute for the foot and leg.
It is worth trialling the i-Walk prior to your surgery to make sure that you have the balance and coordination required.
Pre-injury Ability
Capacity
Other requirements
The i-Walk 2.0 is suitable for the following injuries and conditions
No surgery is risk free. General risks of surgery include infection, blood clots and complications related to the anaesthetic. Numerous precautions are taken to reduce risks and your surgery is meticulously planned to ensure the desired outcome. Some precautions taken are the administration of antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and blood thinning medication is given to prevent blood clots. Mr Goldbloom will talk to you about general and specific risks related to your surgery at consultation.
If you experience any of the following, please contact Mr Goldbloom’s room on (03) 9928 6188
If your concern arises outside of normal working hours Mr Goldbloom’s team suggests you choose one of the following options depending on how urgent you feel your situation may be.
Download Preparing for Foot & Ankle Surgery & Rehabilitation PDF
In the majority of cases, the cost of your appointment is partly contributed by Medicare. Our team can claim this electronically for you upon providing your Medicare details. There is usually a remaining “out of pocket” cost for you which is to be settled on the day of your appointment.
There is no out of pocket cost for Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold Card Holders or those with valid WorkCover or TAC claims.
Private health insurance can financially assist to you to have your operation in a private hospital, by the surgeon of your choice and a reduced wait time. Having private health insurance does not mean the entire cost associated with your surgical treatment is covered. There are several costs to surgery in the private setting and most of these are outlined below.
Mr Goldbloom’s fee structure is guided by the Australian Medical Association (AMA). Please refer below for further information:
AMA: Position Statement on Setting Medical Fees and Billing Practices
AMA: Guide for Patients on How the Health Care System Funds Medical Care
Some contribution is made to this cost from Medicare and a variable contribution is made by your private health cover. The variation is dependent on your choice of insurance policy and this is what determines how much “Gap” or out of pocket expense is left for you to cover.
We aim to keep the gap to the absolute minimum. Please discuss this with our team at your consultation.
Assistant’s Fees: Mr Goldbloom will often need a doctor to assist him during surgery, this assistant may attract a small out of pocket fee.
Anaesthetist’s Fees: Anaesthetists work as independent practitioners and as such their fee varies but is often lower than the surgeon’s out of pocket fees. Your anaesthetist will discuss this with you.
Hospital Bed and Theatre Costs: There is a cost for the hospital bed and use of the operating theatre. This is often covered by your private health insurance but you may be required to pay an “excess”. It is important to check prior to your surgery.
Implants and Prosthesis: The cost of any implants or prosthesis needed for your operation are often covered by your private health insurance. It is important to check this prior to surgery.
Blood Tests, X-rays, Scans and other Investigations that are needed during or after your operation may incur added costs.
Allied Health: A physiotherapist will see you in hospital to provide you with appropriate footwear, crutches and instructions about weight-bearing. An exercise program to do at home to promote blood flow and maintain motion of other joints during recovery will be given to you. Additionally, to achieve your personal goals of surgery you may need to see your physiotherapist or podiatrist after your operation. This may incur added costs to your bill.
Post Operative Foot and Ankle Supports: It is very likely you will be require to purchase some sort of foot or ankle support to protect the work done during surgery. Examples include a “post op shoe” used after forefoot surgery and a “CAM boot” used after ankle surgery. These range in price from approximately $100 to $500 and will usually be fitted by trained staff.
Pharmacist: There may an out of pocket cost for medications on discharge that needs to be confirmed with the hospital.
Review by a Medical Specialist (if required): Some patients may require review by a medical specialist around the time of their surgery. This is often covered but may incur an out of pocket fee that needs to be checked with the physician.
Mr Goldbloom sees public (uninsured) patients at his practice.
Your condition might not need operative treatment and you just want the advice of a surgeon. You can get a referral from your GP or Health Care Professional and make an appointment with Mr Goldbloom.
When surgery is recommended, you are given an approximate price of self-funding surgery in the private system. If you wish to proceed with surgery, then an exact quote will be drawn up for you for which we require up front payment. The cost of the quote is then deducted from the final cost of surgery. If you choose to self-fund your surgery, our team are able to arrange a payment plan for you.
For non-urgent problems, it may be worth investigating with private health funds regarding their policies on ‘waiting periods’. This waiting period might still be shorter than waiting for your operation to be performed at a public hospital.
Mr Goldbloom treats foot and ankle injuries in patients whose care falls under Transport Accident Commission (TAC) or WorkCover.
If your injury needs surgical treatment, you will bear no out of pocket cost for the operation. Our team require written acceptance of liability for the cost before we can book your surgical procedure.
If you have a current claim number, we can bill TAC or WorkCover directly for your consultation. If your claim number cannot be supplied on the day of your consultation, you must pay in full. Most of the time, this account can be claimed through WorkCover or TAC by the patient.
Most imaging or investigations you require are billed directly to TAC or WorkCover. Sometimes this will need to be checked with your case manager before having them done.
TAC and WorkCover usually fund all your post-operative rehabilitation such as physiotherapy. In some cases, if all the routine funding has been used, special applications may be required for more funding. Mr Goldbloom can assist in completing the required paperwork for this.
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