Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — Canadian Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre — St. Catharines Registered Chiropodist

No, referrals are not required but certainly appreciated. Patients can make an appointment directly by calling 905-346-0222. Doctors offices may download our referral form and call our office for our fax number.

Unfortunately no. We operate on a fee-for-service basis and payment is required on your visit date. Our services may be covered by your extended private health insurance plan through your employer or your spouse’s plan.

Many but not all insurers cover our services & devices. Plans differ so we urge you to contact your insurer to inquire about coverage amounts and requirements for “chiropodist” services. Inquire about separate coverage and frequency for medical devices such as “custom orthotics, non-custom orthopedic footwear, compression stockings” It is important to determine the amount of coverage, yearly maximums, frequency. After your visit we will provide you with a pre-authorization for recommended services/devices. We will provide you with documentation and receipts for services and products rendered.

We do offer about 5 parking spots behind our stand-alone building, available on a first-come first-serviced basis.

Street parking is also available between posted hours.

We are not wheelchair accessible.

Unfortunately no. Our office is located within an old modified century home. There are only two steps with railings at our front entrance. Code does not allow us to place a wheelchair ramp on premises. Alternately, please consider home nursing footcare providers if you have mobility concerns.

Yes, we are an appointment only clinic and not a walk-in clinic. Please call our office at 905-346-0222 to schedule an appointment or fill out the contact form. We strive to book your appointment as quickly as possible.

We accept cash, debit / interac, Mastercard and Visa.

Please refer to Insurance Info for further details

Inquire with your insurer since we only carry orthopedic footwear and not custom footwear. Custom footwear is a very specialized service only available at select facilities and typically reserved for severe foot deformities.

We maintain our standards and integrity and do not offer “free shoes” as enticements with your custom orthotic purchase. These are separate items and may be purchased separately.

You may print out and fill in our New Patient Form and bring to your first appointment or email it back to us. Alternately please arrive 5-10 minutes before your appointment to fill in the form in-office. If you have imaging studies (Xray report/CD, etc) bring these with you.

Your concern and medical history will be reviewed, your feet will be examined and a recommended treatment plan will be reviewed, addressing your questions as needed. Follow up care is encouraged. We are here to steer you in the right direction based on your lifestyle and our training and expertise.

Our instruments are individually wrapped and sterilized on-site in a steam sterilizer (called an autoclave) to kill infectious organisms to ensure patient safety. Hard surfaces are wiped down using disinfectants. Each treatment room is cleaned thoroughly between patients and each patient is provided with a disposable foot towel. We abide by Infection Control Standards of Practice which include daily testing and yearly re-certification of equipment to ensure sterility. Your safety and comfort are our priority.

Michael Mesic DPM was educated as a podiatrist in the United States but Ontario has not registered podiatrists since 1993 due to the Ontario Podiatry Cap, thus he is registered as a chiropodist. Although trained to do so, he does not perform bone surgery in Ontario.

Chiropody / Podiatry are not interchangeable terms. Both are foot specialists trained to different levels.

Chiropody education is obtained through a 3 year diploma level course taught at the Michener Institute in Toronto which currently requires a baccalaureate degree for admission.

Podiatrists are educated in the United States at the doctorate level, often including surgical training through a hospital based residency program totaling 8 to 12 years.

Please refer to Michael Mesic DPM Credentials