FAQ’s

You can make an online booking with Stronger Melbourne Healthcare here.

You can also call us on (03) 9977 9700 or you can visit us in clinic at 236 Bridge Road, Richmond.

Metered car parking is available on Bridge Road. Please be mindful of clearway times. Alternatively, there is 2 hour free parking across the road in the Richmond Traders, carpark entrance via Cameron Street.

You do not need a referral to see one of our allied health professionals (physiotherapist, osteopath, exercise physiologist)

You may be eligible for a Chronic Disease Management plan through your GP who will be able to complete a referral. This will enable you to receive a rebate on 5 allied health sessions per year and we can claim this rebate on the day of your appointment in clinic.

We also accept Veteran Affairs, TAC and Workcover. However if you area Workcover or TAC patient, you will need to have written approval for your treatment and costs are payable upfront and claimable back from Workcover or TAC.

Please note, if you are seeing a Sports and Exercise Physician or Orthopaedic Surgeon, you will need a referral from either your local GP or your specialist.

Any patient seeing an allied health practitioner are to claim through their private health insurance (Extras) on the day of their appointment, provided you have the physical or digital card. If you have left your card at home, we can email you a copy of your receipt and you can claim directly with your provider.

Many of our services will be offered under “extras” in private health policies and each provider will have different limits per year. It's best to check with your private health provider with regards to the rebate amount.

If you are seeing a Sports and Exercise Physician or Orthopaedic Surgeon, the rebate will be claimable through Medicare provided you have a GP/Specialist referral. The rebate amount will be different depending on the consult and/or procedure, but if you would like to know an approximate rebate, please call the practice and we will be able to assist.

Our Sports & Exercise Physician, Dr Krishant Naidu performs all injections in our Richmond clinic.

How do I prepare for my injection? There is no specific preparation required for your injection, however we do recommend wearing flat shoes and comfortable clothing.

Why are they performed under ultra-sound? Performing injections under ultra-sound ensures accuracy and effectiveness of the injection.

Can I drive after my injection? Please see the individual procedures.

How long does the procedure take? We allow 30 minutes for each appointment, the procedures will take 30 minutes, this includes reviewing

I have a needle phobia, how can you help? Please communicate any nervousness you feel up front, so we can assist you as best we can. Dr Krishant Naidu, is highly experienced with administering injections in all areas of the body. So rest assure, you are with someone who has treated many patients and many different conditions. The process will be walked through with you step by step, to ensure you feel comfortable with what is happening. We also have a weighted blanket in our clinic to assist those who are a bit extra nervy.

It been a couple days since my injection, I’m getting tingling and/or numbness/pain, what should I do?   If you have any concerns please contact us. It is common to have some symptoms for a few days after injections.

How long until I can exercise? Please see the individual procedures.

When should I contact my doctor?  If you have any concerns or symptoms such as fever, chills, increasing pain which is not controlled with simple Panadol or anti-inflammatory medications.    Item description

Cortisone Injection (Steroid)

Used in various parts of the body, Cortisone is used to treat pain where inflammation is felt to be the cause of this pain. As it is a powerful anti-inflammatory, Cortisone is effective in treating such pain.  Although also referred to as a steroid injection, Cortisone is NOT an illegal steroid medication.

What conditions does cortisone treat? 

·         Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis, Tennis and Golfer’s elbow

·         Bursitis (most commonly subacromial and trochanteric bursitis)

·         Arthritis (any joint may be injected, including joints of the spine)

·         Nerve pain (most commonly for sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome)

·         Other conditions where inflammation is a contributor to the pain.

Are there other treatments? Other options should be discussed with our doctor and may include anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, physiotherapy and surgery to name a few.

How long until I feel if the injection has worked?  Generally speaking, you should be able to tell between 3-14 days if the injection has worked.

How long do they last? Every patient is different, however if the cortisone injection is working for you it can be up to 3 or 6 months. Some patients do report complete recovery.

How many injections can I have?   As a general rule, over a twelve month period three injections into the same body may be permitted. If you have failed to respond to a series of three injections, then it is probably time your condition was reassessed.

Can I drive after my injection?  Pending you are feeling ok, yes.

How long until I can exercise? We would advise not to do high intensity exercise for 1 week after your injection.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) PRP

What is a PRP injection? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is produced from a person’s own blood – it is the concentration of a type of blood cell (platelets). This is then injected back into the area being treated to help heal damaged tissue. Platelets contain the bodies hormones and chemicals to control inflammation and promote a healing response.

How are PRP injections performed? A patients blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate the blood into its various components including platelets. The concentrated platelets (up to 8 times the amount) is mixed into a blood plasma liquid base and the injected under ultra-sound directly into the area of concern.

What injuries can PRP injections treat? Primarily used for soft tissue injuries such as tears, it’s also demonstrated to improve function and reduce pain in people who have tendonitis or chronic tendinosis conditions. It’s rejuvenation properties have also made it a sought after treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

Do PRP injections have side effects or risks? These injections are very safe as we are using the patients' own blood. There can be some pain after the injection. The risk of infection is extremely low, lower than with steroid injections.

How far apart should I have multiple injections? PR injections are generally 2 weeks apart

Can I drive after my injection? It is safest not to drive straight after your injection, especially if in involves the right side (Hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc.)

How long until I can exercise?  We would advise not to do high intensity exercise for 1 week after your injection.

Hydrodilatation Injection - Frozen Shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)

What is a Hydrodilataion injection?  These injections are use to treat Frozen Shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). The injection is a combination of steroid (cortisone), local anaesthetic and saline to decrease inflammation and pain, to improve the mobility of the shoulder joint.  More specifically local anaesthetic is used to numb, cortisone is used to treat and reduce inflammation while the saline stretches the scarred capsule.  The latter often allowing for a rapid improvement in range of motion.

How long until I know if the injection has worked?   Some may get almost immediate relief from this procedure and leave our practice feeling much better. Most however start to feel the effect after a few days.

How long will it last?  Most people get permanent relief from this procedure and return to normal activities in 4-6 weeks. There may be some ongoing stiffness and loss of movement.

Can I drive after my injection?  No it is advisable not to drive immediately after the treatment.

How long until I can exercise?   Exercise can commence as tolerated after 1 week.

Hyaluronic acid (Durolane) Injection

What do Hyaluronic acid injections treat? A Hyaluronic injection is used to treat knee pain caused by Osteoarthritis (OA) in patients where pain relivers and other treatments have not been effective.

How long does the injection last? In a study of patients with knee osteoarthritis, it has been proven to provide pain relief and restoration of joint function for up to 6 months.

What are the side effects of hyaluronic acid injections? Common side effects of Durolane may include: warmth, pain, redness, stiffness, bruising, or puffiness where the medicine was injected.

Rarer case: nausea, stomach pain; trouble walking; swelling in your hands or feet; back pain, joint pain, muscle pain; numbness or tingly feeling; headache, dizziness.

Can I have both knees injected in the one session?No, each knee is required to be done on different days, usually a few days apart.

Can I drive after my injection?  It is generally advisable not to drive straight after the injection.

How long until I can exercise?  Exercise can commence as tolerated after 1 week.

A physiotherapist will assess a particular problem you may be feeling and provides a diagnosis to help you understand what’s wrong while considering your general health, activities, and lifestyle. They treat your complaint with a variety of “active” therapies, such as exercise programs and hydrotherapy. They also use “passive” therapies, such as massage and joint manipulation.

An osteopath focuses on the muscular and nervous systems, and assesses the structure of the body to determine its impact on function. For example, the position of your spine and pelvis may impact on the way you bend down. Treatment includes joint manipulation and mobilisation, massage, as well as postural advice and exercise programs.

Our clinic has a cancellation policy in place. We kindly request that if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please provide us with at least 48hours' notice. This allows us to accommodate other patients who may be in need of our services. Any deposits to Mr Shane Blackmore will be refunded if cancellation is with at least 48 hours notice. For any allied heath appointments failure to provide adequate notice may result in a cancellation fee of $50.

We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and we strive to be flexible and understanding. However, your cooperation in honouring our cancellation policy is greatly appreciated and helps us maintain the highest level of care for all our valued patients.

If you need to make any changes to your appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us at 03 9977 9700. Our friendly reception team will be more than happy to assist you.

Please bring along any doctor’s referrals/letters, scans, x-rays result you may have.

For physiotherapy/osteopathy please wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing. For exercise physiology please ensure you wear exercise/activewear and running shoes.

If you are unable to wear this into the practice, please bring with you on the day - we have bathroom facilities, with showers.