Our Santa Monica Podiatry Location

Why chose UFAI in Santa Monica

Our team, led by nationally recognized foot and ankle surgeons, brings decades of combined experience and specialized training to address a wide range of conditions—from ankle sprains and plantar fasciitis to bunions and Achilles tendonitis. Services provided by Dr. Bob Baravarian, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Gary Briskin, DPM, FACFAS.

Leveraging the latest medical technology, including regenerative medicine, minimally invasive surgery options, and metal-free surgical hardware, we're committed to providing personalized treatment plans to promote faster healing and optimal outcomes.

Your new patient's initial visit at UFAI will include a detailed clinical evaluation of your foot problem. A thorough hands-on examination by your doctor and description of your symptoms will help identify your specific diagnosis.

Exams often include gait analysis and an evaluation of the entire lower extremity, which allows us to identify any other contributing factors that need to be addressed. This is necessary to achieve a full recovery and return to full function and activities. Additional diagnostic testing may also be part of your exam. These tests can include: X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, nerve testing, and are all available, on-site, at our Santa Monica location

UFAI's Santa Monica Podiatry Group specializes in:

• Foot and Ankle Sports Medicine
• Orthotics and Brace manufacturing
• Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery
• Foot and Ankle Fractures and Breaks 
• Bunion Treatment and Bunion Surgery, including Lapiplasty® and Bunionplasty® 
• Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
• Achilles Tendon Repair
• Foot and Ankle Arthritis Care
• Ankle Replacement
• Diabetic Foot Care

• Toenail Conditions

• Pediatric foot conditions
• Plantar warts

UFAI Santa Monica Podiatry's on-site advanced technologies include:

Open MRI for Foot and Ankle

Our open MRI scanner is specifically designed for imaging of the extremities, therefore only the joint being imaged is inside the scanner and the patient is comfortably seated outside the machine. This anatomy-specific MRI scanner provides a quiet, comfortable, non-claustrophobic experience for our patients.

pedCAT 3-D Weight Bearing Foot and Ankle CT

ThePedCAT revolutionizes imaging as it’s the first true weight-bearing imaging machine. By scanning in your shoes we can see the exact stresses your foot endures daily for better diagnostic results.

It also delivers a very low radiation dose compared to traditional CT and results are available in less than 70 seconds so your physician gets an immediate and precise 3D view of the affected foot and ankle which allows treatment to begin as sooner than ever before.

Other technologies include:

• ShockWave and SoftWave therapies

• StimRouter for chronic foot pain

• Cryotherapy for plantar fasciitis and Morton's neuroma
• Neurosensory Testing
• Non-invasive Vascular Testing
• Q-Clear Laser for Nail Fungus Treatment

• TenJet Therapy for Soft Tissue Damage

• Topaz Coblation for Chronic Achilles Tendonosis and Plantar Fasciitis

• Custom Orthotics
• Regenerative Treatments including Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Amniotic and Stem Cell Therapies

• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

• Physical Therapy Center
• State of the Art Surgical Suites

Our Santa Monica Podiatry Clinic is located at:

2121 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 101

Santa Monica, CA 90403

(424) 444-3699

Parking information:

Paid parking is available in the building. Please note we do not validate for underground parking.

Metered street parking is available on both sides of Wilshire Blvd. and free two-hour parking is also available on 22nd Street. Please pay attention to the street cleaning signs.

Driving direction information:

Our Santa Monica clinic is located at the Northwest corner of Wilshire Blvd and 22nd Street. Freeway access is easy, from either the 10 (Santa Monica) or 405 (San Diego) freeways.

• From the 10 (Santa Monica) Freeway, just exit at Cloverfield Blvd and head North toward Wilshire Blvd.
• From the 405 (San Diego) Freeway, exit at Wilshire Blvd. West and head to Wilshire and 22nd Street.

Our Santa Monica Physical Therapy Clinic

Unlike most physical therapy practices that treat every part of the human body, the physical therapy center at University Foot and Ankle of Santa Monica is dedicated to just one thing - the best health care for the foot and ankle. And best of all, it is conveniently located across the hall from our Santa Monica office, our Physical Therapy Clinic.

Our team of physical therapists is committed to making you stronger, relieving your pain, and returning you to your full potential as quickly as possible.

Our patients are prescribed physical therapy for a variety of foot and ankle diagnoses: Postoperative rehabilitation, chronic conditions, acute and sports injuries. We know that no two patients are alike and our board-certified physical therapists work directly with our internationally recognized team of physicians to develop the most effective and personalized treatment plan possible. That’s the UFAI advantage.

Physical therapy strategies are custom designed and very often include:

• Stability and flexibility exercises

• Coordination and balance training

• Joint and tissue mobilization

• Ultrasound

• Low-level laser

• Functional electrical stimulation

You can rest assured that your healing doesn’t stop when leaving us as your physical therapy team will provide a comprehensive home treatment program for you.

Our Santa Monica Physical Therapy Clinic is located at:

2121 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 102

Santa Monica, CA 90403

(424) 444-3699

Meet your Santa Monica foot and ankle doctors

Dr. Bob Baravarian, DPM, FACFAS is a Board-Certified Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist. He is an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine and serves as Director of University Foot and Ankle Institute. 

He is one of only a handful of foot and ankle surgeons to have both foot and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle certifications as a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

After his podiatric medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh with an emphasis in sports medicine reconstructive surgery, foot, and ankle trauma, and diabetic limb salvage, he joined UCLA. Four years later, he opened University Foot and Ankle Institute.

A life-long sports enthusiast, he played tennis in high school and college and currently consultants to the Association of Tennis Professionals, several running clubs, and multiple shoe manufacturers. 

As co-founder and co-director of University Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Gary Briskin, DPM, FACFAS began his medical training at Flint General Hospital in Michigan where he served his residency in podiatric medicine. He then established a practice in Century City Hospital, where he became chief of podiatric surgery. He is one of the foremost foot and ankle specialists in California. and one of the best podiatrists near Santa Monica.

Dr. Briskin serves as an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Briskin has a passion for sports and is currently involved with multiple running, hockey, and soccer organizations. He has a special interest in sports medicine, arthritis prevention, and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Briskin resides in Manhattan Beach with his wife and son.

Meet your Santa Monica physical therapists

Gray O’Brien graduated with his Master’s in Physical Therapy from Long Island University, where he completed his thesis on the rehabilitation of the lower back and core strengthening. Gray has been with UFAI since 2006.

Growing up, Gray was in and out of the orthopedic clinic with a variety of tennis and skiing injuries. He was always impressed with his physical therapists and how they made the rehab setting so enjoyable.

Since 1999, Gray has been working with weekend-warriors, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes, with a special focus on orthopedic/sports rehabilitation.

He specializes in foot and ankle pathologies and post-operative recovery.

He lives in the Santa Monica area and proudly shares a “soccer parent” status with his wife and four children.

Lydia Salinas comes to UFAI with over 30 years of clinical experience and expertise in outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy.

She takes pride in getting to know her client's personal needs and taking a hands-on approach to restore functional movement, balance, strength, and conditioning.

Lydia was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

She is a lifelong runner and during her collegiate years, she played rugby for the UCLA Bruins.

Today, she treats several members of some of Los Angeles’s biggest running clubs, including Track Club LA, the LA Road Runners, and the LA LEGGERS.

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Yelp Patient Reviews, in their own words...

The following five-star Yelp review was posted by University Foot and Ankle patient, Ralph:

Dr. Baravarian has treated my left big toe with a Cartiva implant and now a "stretched" right Achilles' tendon, both very successfully. In particular, the healing injection in my Achilles is nothing short of miraculous.

 

I have the utmost faith in his knowledge and treatment. The office is well organized, courteous, and efficient. I highly recommend UFAI and Dr. Baravarian.

 

Click here to see Ralph's review on Yelp.com.

 

 

The following five-star Yelp review was posted by University Foot and Ankle patient, Mark:

Dr. Gary Briskin has been my doctor going on for two years. He's a very kind and thoughtful physician. The heath of my feet has improved exponentially. It's not just how much I admire Dr. Briskin, it's that he has a great staff.

 

From the front desk staff of Teresa to all the men and women in his office. They really do make a difference. Helping you get your medication to your pharmacy or just be helpful. I would recommend Dr. Briskin without hesitation. He was certainly the best podiatrist near me.

 

Click here to see Mark's review on Yelp.com.

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Best Podiatrists in Santa Monica and Nearby Cities and Communities

Located at 2121 Wilshire Blvd Ste 101 Santa Monica, CA 90404 with easy access from the 405 and 10 freeways, our Santa Monica Podiatrists and Santa Monica physical therapy clinics serve Santa Monica and surrounding areas of West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey and more.

We accept over 1,000 different insurance plans, including virtually all PPO plans and Medicare.

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