Appointments.
Before we can book your appointments, we need to make sure that funding is available.
Our friendly admin team will ask you to fill out a Service Agreement prior to booking your appointments. We use this document to confirm your funding and to ensure your supports are invoiced correctly.
Before we can book your appointments, we need to make sure that funding is available.
Our friendly admin team will ask you to fill out a Service Agreement prior to booking your appointments. We use this document to confirm your funding and to ensure your supports are invoiced correctly.
Each orthosis requires three appointments
Each orthosis requires three appointments:
Measuring.
Our first appointment is where we can get to know you and your goals, answer your questions, and discuss your prescription.
We'll take a scan or plaster cast of your leg so we can create a perfect set of custom-fit orthoses for you!
Please bring to your appointment:
Shorts or pants that can come easily above your knees
Your current or old orthoses
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A 3D hand-held light scanner is used to scan your leg.
Scanning requires that you can hold your leg in place and stay still.
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Taking a plaster cast:
A plastic strip is held on the leg with a stocking or gladwrap. Plaster bandage or cast tape is then wrapped around the leg.
The leg is held in a good position while the plaster dries—this takes about 4 minutes.
The cast is then split down the front and removed.
Browse through our amazing selection of artwork options!
Measuring.
Our first appointment is where we can get to know you and your goals, answer your questions, and discuss your prescription including footwear options.
We'll take a scan or plaster cast of your leg so we can create a perfect set of custom-fit orthoses for you!
Please bring to your appointment:
Shorts or pants that can come easily above your knees
Your current or old orthoses
-
A 3D hand-held light scanner is used to scan your leg.
Scanning requires that you can hold your leg in place and stay still.
-
Taking a plaster cast:
A plastic strip is held on the leg with a stocking or gladwrap. Plaster bandage or cast tape is then wrapped around the leg.
The leg is held in a good position while the plaster dries—it takes about 4 minutes to dry.
The cast is then split down the front and removed.
Browse through our amazing selection of artwork options!
After your measuring appointment.
Each orthosis is custom 3D modelled to your particular prescription by our orthotists.
The models are then sent for manufacture where the orthoses are either moulded to a model or 3D printed.
We then add the final touches, such as straps and padding, and get everything ready for your fitting appointment! This process takes around 3 weeks.
After your measuring appointment.
Each orthosis is custom 3D modelled to your particular prescription by our orthotists.
The models are then sent for manufacture where the orthoses are either moulded to a model or 3D printed.
We then add the final touches, such as straps and padding, and get everything ready for your fitting appointment! This process takes around 3 weeks.
Review.
We will review your orthoses 2 to 4 weeks after fitting to check that everything is going well. We want to make sure your new orthoses are comfortable and meeting your needs for all of your adventures.
Your feedback is important to us, if you have any concerns just let us know.
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When you grow out of the AFO. Indications that the AFO needs replacing include: the footplate is significantly shorter than when the AFO was fitted or it looks short on the leg, causing red marks (a sign that the AFO is too tight).
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Nova Orthotics provides a 3-month warranty on your device from the date of the initial fitting appointment. If the fitting is rescheduled, the warranty will still begin from the original fitting date. The cost includes three appointments: the initial consultation, fitting, and one review within 3 months of receiving the device. Any additional appointments, or those required after 3 months to review, repair, or adjust the orthoses, will be billed separately.
Fitting.
At your fitting appointment, our orthotists will take care of all the little details, like finishing off and adjusting trimlines to match your unique shape and make sure everything fits snugly and comfortably.
We'll chat about how to break them in gently and discuss appropriate shoes and care. All of this fine tuning can take some time, so this appointment tends to be the longest. Anticipate up to 1 hour.
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The amount of time that an AFO needs to be worn will vary between people and will be determined in consultation with your physiotherapist and doctor.
-
AFOs need to be worn over long socks or tights that are:
Long enough to extend past the top of the AFO
Not too thick and don’t have a raised pattern that may mark the skin
Made of a natural fibre (cotton or wool) to help air circulation around the leg.
If you can’t find suitable socks you can purchase Smartknit AFO socks direct from Nova or find them online.
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Your AFO should always be worn over socks.
When putting the AFO on you need to make sure that the heel is right down in the base of the AFO. Once in the correct position you need to do the ankle strap up firmly to make sure that the heel does not lift.
You then do up the calf strap and put on shoes.
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AFOs must always be worn with shoes. The AFO works in conjunction with your footwear. The shape, height and firmness of the sole will influence the way you walk in your AFOs. Our clinicians will discuss the most suitable shoes for you.
-
AFOs sit against the skin and care needs to be taken that they don’t cause any pressure areas.
New wearers should wear the AFO for 1 hr initially. After this time you should take the AFO off and carefully check the skin for any pressure areas or red marks left by the AFO.
You should increase how long the AFO is worn by 1 hour each time and check the skin afterwards.
Children should not wear new AFOs to school until they been worn at home for 6 hours without any issues.
Any red areas or marks should disappear within 20minutes like a sock mark would. If the marks stay longer than this, then you need to contact us to organise a review to fix the problem.
Download our wearing-in instructions:
Fitting.
At your fitting appointment, our orthotists will take care of all the little details, like finishing off and adjusting trimlines to match your unique shape and make sure everything fits snugly and comfortably.
We'll chat about how to break them in gently and discuss appropriate shoes and care. All of this fine tuning can take some time, so this appointment tends to be the longest. Anticipate up to 1 hour.
-
The amount of time that an AFO needs to be worn will vary between people and will be determined in consultation with your physiotherapist and doctor.
-
AFOs need to be worn over long socks or tights that are:
Long enough to extend past the top of the AFO
Not too thick and don’t have a raised pattern that may mark the skin
Made of a natural fibre (cotton or wool) to help air circulation around the leg.
If you can’t find suitable socks you can purchase Smartknit AFO socks direct from Nova or find them online.
-
Your AFO should always be worn over socks.
When putting the AFO on you need to make sure that the heel is right down in the base of the AFO. Once in the correct position you need to do the ankle strap up firmly to make sure that the heel does not lift.
You then do up the calf strap and put on shoes.
-
AFOs must always be worn with shoes. The AFO works in conjunction with your footwear. The shape, height and firmness of the sole will influence the way you walk in your AFOs. Our clinicians will discuss the most suitable shoes for you.
-
AFOs sit against the skin and care needs to be taken that they don’t cause any pressure areas.
New wearers should wear the AFO for 1 hr initially. After this time you should take the AFO off and carefully check the skin for any pressure areas or red marks left by the AFO.
You should increase how long the AFO is worn by 1 hour each time and check the skin afterwards.
Children should not wear new AFOs to school until they been worn at home for 6 hours without any issues.
Any red areas or marks should disappear within 20minutes like a sock mark would. If the marks stay longer than this, then you need to contact us to organise a review to fix the problem.
Download our wearing-in instructions:
Review.
We will review your orthoses 2 to 4 weeks after fitting to check that everything is going well. We want to make sure your new orthoses are comfortable and meeting your needs for all of your adventures.
Your feedback is important to us, if you have any concerns just let us know.
-
When you grow out of the AFO. Indications that the AFO needs replacing include: the footplate is significantly shorter than when the AFO was fitted or it looks short on the leg, causing red marks (a sign that the AFO is too tight).
-
Nova Orthotics provides a 3-month warranty on your device from the date of the initial fitting appointment. If the fitting is rescheduled, the warranty will still begin from the original fitting date. The cost includes three appointments: the initial consultation, fitting, and one review within 3 months of receiving the device. Any additional appointments, or those required after 3 months to review, repair, or adjust the orthoses, will be billed separately.
Other appointments
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We’ll meet with you three times:
Impressions: First, we’ll create a mould of your foot, which we’ll scan and refine before sending it off for fabrication.
Fitting: Around three weeks later, your orthotics will be ready. We’ll ensure they fit correctly and make any necessary adjustments to maximize comfort and function.
Review: A review appointment will be booked 2 to 4 weeks after fitting. During this appointment we will check that the orthotics are fitting and functioning well.
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Once you have a referral from your physiotherapist or doctor we can organise an assessment appointment to evaluate your specific needs and discuss your prescription.
We’ll also provide you with a detailed quote, which you can submit to the NDIA if you’re seeking funding for your orthoses.
The cost for this appointment is $193.50.
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The cost of your orthosis includes one review appointment within 3 months of receiving your device. Any additional appointments or those needed after 3 months for reviews, repairs, or adjustments will be billed separately.
For minor repairs, like replacing worn-out straps, give us a call as we may be able to organise for you to drop off your orthosis or repair it while you wait—quick and easy!
Strap replacements start at $50. Please contact the clinic before coming in.
FAQs
Do you see adult clients?
Nova Orthotics is a paediatric clinic and only sees clients from 0-21 years. At this stage we continue to see clients once they turn 21 providing they attend at least once every 2 years.
Exceptions to this are for the provision of specialised FES devices.
What are your wait times?
We are frequently booked up 6-8 weeks in advance. Please keep this in mind if your child is close to outgrowing their orthosis.
Does my child need a referral?
Yes — we require a referral from a physiotherapist or other relevant health practitioner before booking an appointment for new clients.
Do I need to book an appointment for a minor repair?
If the repair is only minor i.e., replacing a strap, regluing silicon dots or lining then an appointment is not needed. Please call the clinic at (02) 4063 0030 to discuss.
Can I cancel our review appointment?
If everything is going well with your child’s orthosis, and your therapist advises you that the review appointment is not needed you can cancel. Please contact our admin team. Note cancellations within 2 business days of your appointment will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
Can I request a specific orthotist?
We will do our best to accommodate your preferences keeping in mind your child’s complexity, but this may impact your wait-time for an appointment.