expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Darren Groberg, DPM

Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)

Dr. Darren Groberg is a podiatrist practicing in Salt Lake City, UT. Dr. Groberg is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot , ankle and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Groberg diagnoses and treats conditions of the feet. The feet are key body parts that give a person stability, absorb shock, allow for walking and standing and are necessary for overall well-being. So, the feet need expert care. Podiatrists can specialize in surgery, wound care, sports medicine, diabetic care and pediatrics.
15 years Experience
Dr. Darren Groberg, DPM
  • SLC, UT
  • Des Moines University
  • Accepting new patients

Heavy ankle with tingling toes?

Is there any swelling or discoloration? It could be a few different diagnoses. I think your best option would be to be seen by a foot and ankle specialist to get some clinical READ MORE
Is there any swelling or discoloration? It could be a few different diagnoses. I think your best option would be to be seen by a foot and ankle specialist to get some clinical information to go with your history. I would not let this linger. It may become irreparable.

Wrong orthotics?

Stopping the orthotic is the first best step. Your knee pain will likely resolve once the alignment gets back to baseline. It may take some time as well as rest, ice and ibuprofen. READ MORE
Stopping the orthotic is the first best step. Your knee pain will likely resolve once the alignment gets back to baseline. It may take some time as well as rest, ice and ibuprofen. Joint pain can easily take 6-8 weeks to calm down once the source or irritation is addressed. If it does not show signs of improvement I would see a knee specialist. The orthotics may have just irritated an already existing underlying issue with the knees.

What helps chronic ankle pain?

First you need to determine why you have chronic ankle pain. It could be inflammatory tissue in the ankle from old injuries. It may be due to alignment issues in your foot or READ MORE
First you need to determine why you have chronic ankle pain. It could be inflammatory tissue in the ankle from old injuries. It may be due to alignment issues in your foot or ankle. I would recommend being seen by a foot and ankle specialist to give you some better treatment options.

I am not able to flex my foot. Why?

That is a tough question. There are many reasons your foot may become rigid and painful. A clinical exam and appropriate imaging will be more helpful than my guessing and where READ MORE
That is a tough question. There are many reasons your foot may become rigid and painful. A clinical exam and appropriate imaging will be more helpful than my guessing and where your foot is hurting. I would see a foot and ankle specialist it the pain persists.

Will I walk with a limp after ankle fusion?

Most patients do have some level of limping following ankle fusion. Without full range of motion in the ankle you have to compensate with a shorter or halted gait. This is usually READ MORE
Most patients do have some level of limping following ankle fusion. Without full range of motion in the ankle you have to compensate with a shorter or halted gait. This is usually preferable to the severe pain and limitation that makes an ankle fusion necessary.

I have a weird growth on my ankle. What could it be?

Where on the ankle is it? It could be spurring or an overgrowth of bone from an old injury. It could also be a soft tissue mass. They can be hard and sometimes feel like bone. READ MORE
Where on the ankle is it? It could be spurring or an overgrowth of bone from an old injury. It could also be a soft tissue mass. They can be hard and sometimes feel like bone. The fact that it does not hurt is good but I would recommend having it checked by a foot and ankle specialist.

What shoes should I wear for hammertoe?

To avoid irritation to the hammertoes you should focus on a shoe with a larger toe box. Hammertoes often develop because of abnormalities in your gait. Pronation is the most READ MORE
To avoid irritation to the hammertoes you should focus on a shoe with a larger toe box. Hammertoes often develop because of abnormalities in your gait. Pronation is the most common gait abnormality. Orthotics or shoes with extra support to avoid pronation can decrease the chance of hammertoe worsening.

Can you walk after ankle replacement?

Yes, you can walk after ankle replacement and usually very well. The biggest problem with total ankle replacements at your age is that they wear out and need to be replaced, modified READ MORE
Yes, you can walk after ankle replacement and usually very well. The biggest problem with total ankle replacements at your age is that they wear out and need to be replaced, modified or transitioned to a fusion at some point.

Will I need time off work after toenail removal?

Not usually but on occasion it can be painful and limiting enough to need a few days off work.

My grandfather's wound is not healing. What should we do?

Wounds on the bottom of the foot can be very difficult. An antibiotic is definitely appropriate but wound care from a specialist with appropriate offloading, compression and debridement READ MORE
Wounds on the bottom of the foot can be very difficult. An antibiotic is definitely appropriate but wound care from a specialist with appropriate offloading, compression and debridement is key. I would get him seen by a podiatrist or a wound clinic.

Is foot amputation the only solution for gangrene?

Not necessarily. If the infection is localized to a certain area the gangrene portion can be cut away and she can be treated with antibiotics and wound care. This process can READ MORE
Not necessarily. If the infection is localized to a certain area the gangrene portion can be cut away and she can be treated with antibiotics and wound care. This process can save the foot but has its own risks and time commitments. With my patients, I decide what level is appropriate to amputate based on their age, health and quality of life moving forward.

Big toes issues?

It is a fairly easy procedure that can be done in the office to remove which ever nail border is causing you discomfort. After removing the nail border the germinal matrix where READ MORE
It is a fairly easy procedure that can be done in the office to remove which ever nail border is causing you discomfort. After removing the nail border the germinal matrix where the nail originates can be cauterized. In my office I use sodium hydroxide which does very well and is well tolerated. This gives you the best chance at stopping the ingrown nail borders and letting the nail grow back normally.

One toe is freezing and throbbing pain?

Is there any discoloration to either toe? If this is new since surgery it is concerning for a thrombotic event in other words a small blood clot moving down stream and logging READ MORE
Is there any discoloration to either toe? If this is new since surgery it is concerning for a thrombotic event in other words a small blood clot moving down stream and logging in the toe. There could also be some nerve damage down stream from the surgical site.

How do you treat chronic foot pain?

Unfortunately, it really depends on what is causing the chronic foot pain. If it is bio mechanical than an orthotic or shoe gear modification can be very helpful. If there is a READ MORE
Unfortunately, it really depends on what is causing the chronic foot pain. If it is bio mechanical than an orthotic or shoe gear modification can be very helpful. If there is a structural deformity or old injury surgery may be necessary to provide lasting relief.

What is the best painkiller for foot pain?

That really depends on the origin of the foot pain. Arthritic pain responds very well to NSAIDS like Ibuprofen. Neuropathic or nerve pain does better with GABA inhibitors like READ MORE
That really depends on the origin of the foot pain. Arthritic pain responds very well to NSAIDS like Ibuprofen. Neuropathic or nerve pain does better with GABA inhibitors like gabapentin. Muscles aches and strains or sprains can do well with both Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Ice and rest is almost always a standard source or help and improvement.

How long does it take for a ruptured Achilles tendon to heal without surgery?

Plan on at least 12 weeks in a boot with a heel lift which is slowly reduced over time until your foot is back to a neutral position. Physical therapy is often needed once you READ MORE
Plan on at least 12 weeks in a boot with a heel lift which is slowly reduced over time until your foot is back to a neutral position. Physical therapy is often needed once you are back to walking to strengthen the repair.

How can I straighten my toes naturally?

Curvature of your toes can be both congenital and secondary to some form of compensation in your gait or from shoe gear. Low impact barefoot activities can be beneficial in strengthening READ MORE
Curvature of your toes can be both congenital and secondary to some form of compensation in your gait or from shoe gear. Low impact barefoot activities can be beneficial in strengthening the intrinsic musculature of your feet with helps balance and maintain a straight position of your toes. Stretching and massaging can also be beneficial. Although it may not fit in line with your natural goals and orthotic or shoe insert can also be very beneficial in minimizing the mechanical strain in your foot which may be leading to the toe deformities.

What is the fastest way to recover from bunion surgery?

It really all depends on what type of surgery you have. That depends of the severity of your bunion. Compliance in recovery is key but good nutrition and protein intake will READ MORE
It really all depends on what type of surgery you have. That depends of the severity of your bunion. Compliance in recovery is key but good nutrition and protein intake will provide you with the necessary building blocks to speed recovery. In my office I also use a class IV MLS laser for my post operative patient to speed their recovery and improve their overall outcomes.

What kind of screws are used in ankle surgery?

We use both solid and cannulated screws in ankle surgery depending on what type of fixation we need. These screws are usually stainless steel.

How long do you have to wear a walking boot after ankle surgery?

Unfortunately that all depends on the type of surgery that is performed. If you have minimally invasive arthroscopic debridement without other complications you can often get READ MORE
Unfortunately that all depends on the type of surgery that is performed. If you have minimally invasive arthroscopic debridement without other complications you can often get out of the boot within a few weeks. If more aggressive surgeries performed standard is a minimum six weeks and can be as many as 12 or longer. If you know what specific surgery you have in mind I can give you a better time estimate.