Knee surgeon in Sandringham
Dr Vishal Pai (MBChB, FRACS, FAOrthA) is a Melbourne orthopaedic surgeon whose practice is focused on the knee. He consults at Sandringham Orthopaedic Specialists, Suite 1, 60 Bay Road, Sandringham, a short walk from Sandringham Station and the cafés of the Bay Road shopping strip.
Where you will be seen
All of your consultations take place at the Sandringham rooms on Bay Road. If surgery is recommended, Dr Pai operates at two private hospitals, both a short drive from Sandringham.
Where surgery takes place
- Calvary Holmesglen Private Hospital (formerly Holmesglen Private Hospital), 490 South Road, Moorabbin
Approximately 15 minutes by car from the Sandringham rooms - The Avenue Hospital, 40 The Avenue, Windsor
Approximately 25 minutes by car from the Sandringham rooms
Consulting rooms
Sandringham Orthopaedic Specialists
Suite 1, 60 Bay Road
Sandringham VIC 3191
(03) 8657 0595
Finding the rooms
The rooms are at Suite 1, 60 Bay Road, directly opposite Sandringham Medical Centre and Regis Sandringham aged care. When you book, the reception team will be happy to provide directions and advice on parking.
If you are coming by train, Sandringham Station is at the end of the Sandringham line, which runs through Elsternwick, Brighton and Hampton. The rooms are a short walk from the station along Bay Road.
If you arrive early or would like a coffee after your appointment, Bay Road cafés such as Port of Call and Black Squirrel are a stone’s throw from the rooms.
Patients also travel to Sandringham from Brighton and Bayside, Caulfield and Glen Eira, the Mornington Peninsula and regional Victoria.
Rehabilitation close to home
Much of the treatment for a knee problem, before and after any operation, takes place with a physiotherapist. You can keep working with the physiotherapist you already see, and Dr Pai will share your diagnosis and rehabilitation plan with them.
If you have a knee replacement with Dr Pai and need inpatient rehabilitation afterwards, the options include Calvary Holmesglen Private Hospital in Moorabbin, Epworth Brighton and Masada Private Hospital in St Kilda East. Dr Pai will discuss these with you before surgery.
- Physiotherapy with the physiotherapist you already know, or one close to home or work.
- Follow-up appointments at the Sandringham rooms, or by telehealth where appropriate.
- Dr Pai keeps your general practitioner and physiotherapist informed, so that everyone involved in your care is working to the same plan.
About Dr Vishal Pai
Dr Pai completed his orthopaedic training through the Australian Orthopaedic Association program in Melbourne before undertaking further training in knee surgery overseas. At Southmead Hospital in Bristol, he focused on patellofemoral stabilisation and on partial and revision knee replacement. At the Fortius Clinic in London, his work centred on primary and revision ACL reconstruction, multi-ligament knee reconstruction and complex meniscal repair. In 2015 he also completed a six-month international fellowship in paediatric orthopaedics at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Portland, USA.
In addition to his private practice, Dr Pai is Director of Training for Orthopaedic Surgery at Sandringham Hospital, Bayside Health, where he supervises orthopaedic surgeons in training. He is also involved in clinical research.
- Qualifications
MBChB (Otago), FRACS, FAOrthA - Knee fellowships
Southmead Hospital, Bristol; Fortius Clinic, London - Paediatric fellowship
Shriners Hospitals for Children, Portland, USA - Teaching
Director of Training for Orthopaedic Surgery, Sandringham Hospital, Bayside Health - Professional memberships
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons; Australian Orthopaedic Association
Knee conditions Dr Pai treats
People who see Dr Pai in Sandringham usually come with one of two kinds of problem: a knee injury, often from sport, or knee arthritis that is starting to limit walking, sleep or the things they enjoy. Not every knee problem requires an operation. Your first consultation focuses on reaching a clear diagnosis and discussing the options that suit you, including non-surgical treatment.
Sports injuries and knee preservation
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and other ligament injuries, meniscal tears, cartilage damage and kneecap instability are common among people who lead an active life, whether at footy, soccer or netball, on the tennis court or at the beach. Dr Pai has treated knee injuries in players from local clubs including the Sandringham Zebras and Sandringham Soccer Club. Treatment is planned around your injury, your season and the activities you would like to return to.
Knee arthritis and replacement
An assessment for knee arthritis considers how your knee affects walking, sleep, work and the things you enjoy, and what treatment you have already tried. Options range from exercise, physiotherapy and weight management to partial, total and robotic-assisted knee replacement, as well as revision surgery when a previous replacement has not been successful.
Dr Pai performs knee replacements at Calvary Holmesglen Private Hospital in Moorabbin. Read more about knee replacement surgery in Melbourne, including recovery and costs.
Your first appointment
A new patient appointment takes approximately 30 minutes. Dr Pai will discuss your symptoms, examine your knee, review your scans and explain your options, so that you leave with a clear plan.
Your first appointment needs to be in person so that your knee can be examined. After that, follow-up appointments can usually be arranged by telehealth in appropriate circumstances.
Consultation fees and Medicare rebates are listed on the Appointments and Fees page. If surgery is recommended, you will receive a written quote before anything is booked.
Before you visit
- Ask your general practitioner for a referral to Dr Vishal Pai. A current referral is required to claim the Medicare rebate.
- Bring any X-ray, MRI, CT or ultrasound images, or let the rooms know where they were performed so that access can be arranged.
- Complete the New Patient Registration Form before your appointment.
- Wear shorts or loose trousers so that your knee can be examined comfortably.
Questions from Sandringham patients
Where are the Sandringham rooms?
Sandringham Orthopaedic Specialists is at Suite 1, 60 Bay Road, Sandringham VIC 3191, opposite Sandringham Medical Centre and a short walk from Sandringham Station. Surgery is performed at Calvary Holmesglen Private Hospital in Moorabbin or The Avenue Hospital in Windsor.
Can I get to the rooms by train?
Yes. Sandringham Station is at the end of the Sandringham line, which runs from Flinders Street through Elsternwick, Brighton and Hampton. The rooms are a short walk from the station along Bay Road.
I've hurt my knee playing sport. Can Dr Pai help?
Yes. Dr Pai sees players with knee injuries from local clubs and competitions around Sandringham. Many knee injuries, including some ACL and meniscal tears, can be managed without an operation. Your first appointment focuses on a clear diagnosis and a plan for returning to sport safely.
Can I keep seeing my own physiotherapist?
Yes. You can continue with the physiotherapist you already see. Dr Pai will keep them informed about your diagnosis, any operation and your rehabilitation plan.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A current referral from your general practitioner or another specialist is required to claim the Medicare rebate. Your doctor can address the referral to Dr Vishal Pai at Sandringham Orthopaedic Specialists.
Will I need surgery?
Not necessarily. Many knee problems, including some ACL and meniscal injuries, can be managed without an operation. Dr Pai will explain both the surgical and non-surgical options so that you can make an informed decision.
Does Dr Pai see WorkSafe or TAC patients?
Dr Pai does not currently provide private consultations for WorkSafe or TAC claims. If you have a claim, please ask your general practitioner for a referral to a surgeon who participates in those schemes.
How do I make an appointment?
Please call the rooms on (03) 8657 0595 or send an enquiry, and the team will arrange a time that suits you.
Arrange a knee consultation
The team would be pleased to help you arrange an appointment. Call (03) 8657 0595 or send an enquiry, and please have your referral and any scans ready.