Salt Lake City Location

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New Patients are Always Welcome!

Elizabeth E. Auger, DPM

Our Salt Lake City location is shared with the Highland Family Practice in a 4-story building known as Highland Springs Specialty Clinic, on the west side of Highland Drive. Parking is in the back, and of course, we have an elevator!  

3934 S 2300 E

Salt Lake City, UT 84124

Phone: (801) 396-9743

Fax: (877) 428-7520

Email:  contact@slcpodiatrist.com

Website: slcpodiatrist.com

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Sunday: Closed

Monday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

What Does a Podiatrist Do?

A podiatrist, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), is a specialist who diagnoses and treats conditions related to the foot, ankle, and structures of the leg. If you’ve ever suffered from a foot ailment or injury, you might understand just how debilitating it can be. Podiatrists play a critical role in helping people maintain mobility and lead active lives. In Utah, where outdoor activities are abundant, the services of a podiatrist are invaluable for maintaining foot health in a variety of climates and terrains.

Comprehensive Care Provider

The scope of what a podiatrist does is broad, ranging from general care to advanced surgical procedures. Here are some key aspects of their role:

• Diagnosis: Podiatrists are trained to assess the lower limb. They use a variety of tools, including X-rays, ultrasound, MRI scans, and blood tests, to diagnose issues accurately.
• Treatment: They provide a wide array of treatments which may include prescribing medications, fitting orthotics, recommending physical therapy, and performing surgeries for issues such as bunions, hammertoes, or fractures.
• Preventive Care: Podiatrists advise on how to avoid foot-related problems through proper footwear, care, and early intervention. This is especially important for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes or arthritis that affect the feet.

Specialized Care Across Populations

Podiatrists cater to a diverse range of patients:

• Children: They address congenital foot issues and growth-related conditions.
• Athletes: Specializing in sports medicine, podiatrists treat injuries such as sprains, strains, and overuse injuries. They also provide advice on how to improve foot function to enhance athletic performance.
• Elderly: They manage age-related issues like arthritis and balance problems, which can improve quality of life.
• Patients with Diabetes: Given the risk of severe complications like ulcers and neuropathy, podiatrists play a crucial role in diabetic care.

Surgical Interventions

While many foot problems can be treated non-surgically, some conditions require surgical intervention. Podiatrists perform surgeries to correct structural abnormalities, repair injuries, and alleviate severe pain. Common procedures include joint replacements, tendon repairs, and corrective surgeries for flat feet and high arches.

Educators and Advocates

Beyond clinical care, podiatrists often engage in education and advocacy about foot health. They may conduct workshops, write informational articles, and participate in community health programs to raise awareness about the importance of foot care.

When to Visit a Podiatrist

You should consider seeing a podiatrist if:

• You experience persistent pain in your feet or ankles.
• You notice changes in the appearance of your feet.
• You have recurring skin or nail problems, such as fungal infections or ingrown toenails.
• You suffer from severe cracking, scaling, or peeling on the heel or foot.
• You have specific concerns due to diabetes or other health conditions that affect the feet.

Choosing the Right Podiatrist in Salt Lake City

When selecting a podiatrist in Utah, look for a licensed professional with experience treating a range of foot and ankle issues. Consider their areas of specialization, patient reviews, and the convenience of their office location.

If you are in need of expert foot and ankle care, consider scheduling an appointment with a qualified podiatrist. Your feet are the foundation of your body; keeping them healthy is essential to your overall well-being.

Ready to take the next step towards pain-free walking? Dr. Elizabeth Auger, DPM, offers expert podiatric care tailored to your unique needs. Dr. Auger is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal foot health.

Contact us today at (801) 270-9000 to book your consultation. Let us help you keep your feet healthy, one step at a time!

Why choose Elizabeth E. Auger, DPM as your podiatrist?

Dr. Auger emphasizes preventative care and conservative methods in solving serious foot and leg health issues and surgical treatments. She is 100% devoted to supporting you in caring for and protecting your feet, so you can reach and maintain optimal health. Dr. Auger is a compassionate medical professional; an athlete who also takes part in all the outdoor activities Salt Lake City has to offer; and an advocate of holistic whole body care.

Specialties:

Foot and Ankle Conditions

Diabetic Foot Care Resources  

Patient Education

Post Operative Instructions

Orthotics and Shoes

Download New Patient Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the right way to trim toenails?

It is always best to trim the toenail straight across. This prevents an ingrown nail from developing. Those who have mycotic nails, or toenail fungus, may need to also frequently trim, or debride, the top of the affected toenails, as they frequently become thickened.

How can I prevent cracked heels?

Cracked, or fissured skin of the heels is a common disorder that can be quite painful. To prevent cracked skin of the heels or bottoms of the feet, wear socks daily, and apply a cream with hydroxy acids prior to putting socks on. The warmth created by the sock will make the cream more effective.

How do I know if my feet have good blood flow?

Signs that blood flow is diminished include no hair growth on the toes, dry shiny skin of the feet, and cold digits. These signs mean the tissue of the feet is not getting oxygen. 

The condition of restricted blood flow is referred to as “vascular disease” of the feet. Vascular disease is a serious condition that can cause non-healing wounds, gangrene, and foot pain. It is most common in people who have cardiovascular problems and those with diabetes.

Venous disease is a different disorder where blood and oxygen are getting to the feet but is not flowing back up to the heart. Signs of this disorder are swelling, which may show pitting, and shiny skin. 

In both vascular and venous disease cases, walking can help to prevent and treat these disorders. A compression hose is used to treat venous disease. If any sores are visible, or you frequently experience injury or loss of feeling, it is crucial to see a vascular specialist and a podiatrist.

Why do people with diabetes need to see a podiatrist?

Diabetes can affect multiple organs, such as your skin, nerves, eyes, blood vessels, immune system, and kidneys. It is recommended to visit a Podiatrist at least once a year to check for any skin, vascular, or nerve abnormalities in the feet and lower extremities. 

Neuropathy associated with diabetes is a leading cause of amputations involving the foot. Vascular disease causes slow-healing wounds that are more prone to become infected. Skin changes can also lead to ulcerations.

Why do I have foot swelling?

Temporary foot swelling that goes away can be caused by prolonged sitting, tight shoes, periods of heavy walking without rest, or a laying posture in which blood flow is restricted. Chronic foot swelling has many causes, such as arthritis, faulty veins, and heart disease. If you are experiencing foot swelling or related problems, see a podiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis.

What is meant by flat feet?

“Flat feet” is the term commonly used when the foot’s medial arch is lowered compared to the typical foot. This can be a flexible or structural deformity. It is a common heredity disorder, though it can also be caused by an injury or a neurological disorder. 

Flat feet can cause other foot issues such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, and hammertoes. Treatment consists of supportive shoes and custom orthotics.

How do you treat warts?

Plantar warts (verruca) are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus. The virus stays dormant in cells, and when you see a wart it means that the viral cell is no longer dormant. Thus, warts are very hard to treat and can become a life long issue. 

There are various strains of the virus. Some warts are present as one solitary wart, while others present with multiple small warts. The single wart is easiest to treat. Treatments consist of OTC wart destruction, wart excision — which is performed in the office — and in-office wart destruction, which uses a chemical to elicit an immune response and cause the war to blister. 

Wart excision is a definitive treatment though may cause a scar on the bottom of the foot which can be painful. Our practice sees the greatest success with in-office wart destruction. 

Do I need foot surgery?

Recommendations for surgery are based on the patient’s diagnosis, the extent of their physical symptoms, and whether a more-conservative treatment has failed to resolve the problem. Surgery is always indicated when the diagnosis is lifestyle-limiting. However, surgery is only recommended when the doctor and patient are in full agreement on the problem and treatment options available. 

What does it mean when I have pain on the back of my heel or underneath it?

“Plantar” heel pain refers to pain felt underneath the heel and to the rear of the foot arch. This condition is more common than posterior heel pain, or pain felt behind the heel. Plantar pain is also easier to treat. 

Posterior heel pain can be caused by Achille tendonitis and tears, bursitis, Haglund’s deformity, calcification in the Achilles tendon, or neuralgia of the sural nerve. Treatment is based on the diagnosis as determined from information obtained from a physical exam, the description of the patient’s symptoms, x-ray results, and MRI imaging. Podiatrists will often recommend that patients with posterior heel pain try conservative treatments, such as orthotics, stretching, braces, and other methods before they recommend surgery.

What does paronychia have to do with ingrown toenails?

Paronychia is an infection that develops underneath your nail or due to an ingrown toenail. Typically, paronychia starts with pain, redness, and swelling around the nail. Paronychia can be caused by bacteria or a fungus. Paronychia occurs when the skin around the nail or the cuticle is damaged allowing certain germs or fungi to grow.

The condition is common among people whose hands may be wet for extended periods of time. You can prevent paronychia by avoiding injury to the nail or skin around the nail, refraining from biting your fingernails, keeping your nails trimmed and short, and using clean nail clippers or scissors when manicuring or pedicuring.

What are the best types of shoes for bunions and hammertoes? 

The best shoes for hammertoes and bunions have a wide and high toe box, and medium height arch in the sole of the shoe. For bunions, it is essential to have properly fitting shoes with soft upper material so the shoe doesn’t rub against the bunion causing irritation and pain.

You should also look for shoes with arch support to provide metatarsal stability. For hammertoes, you will also want to look for shoes with stretch material across the top of the foot to reduce friction on the bend of the toes. 

Places to see nearby in Salt Lake City:

Gobblers Knob

Wheeler Historic Farm

Big Cottonwood Regional Park

Drop us a line! We would love to hear from you