Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Board Certified Podiatrists
Expert Foot & Ankle Care
Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Expert Foot & Ankle Care
Advanced care to safely treat fungal toenails, improve nail health, and restore comfort — without unnecessary procedures.
5.0-Star Patient Reviews
Board-Certified Podiatrists
Same-Day Appointments
Most Insurances Accepted
Toenail fungus is common in seniors and can worsen over time if left untreated, leading to discomfort, difficulty walking, and secondary infections.
Early podiatric treatment can safely manage toenail fungus and prevent complications.
Toenail fungus in seniors often behaves differently due to slower nail growth, reduced circulation, and underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or vascular disease.
Podiatrists specialize in accurate diagnosis and safe treatment options, including medical nail care, topical or oral therapies when appropriate, and ongoing monitoring to reduce recurrence.
Early podiatric care can improve nail health, comfort, and reduce the risk of secondary infections.
Accurate Nail Evaluation
Medical Nail Care
Targeted Treatment Options
Ongoing Monitoring & Prevention
Our board-certified podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, Head Podiatrist at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist, brings years of experience diagnosing and treating complex foot and ankle conditions—including heel nerve pain.
Experienced in geriatric foot conditions, chronic pain treatment, and difficult toenail management. Highly rated by Michigan seniors for comfort-focused care.
Dr. Gutkin is experienced in treating a variety of conditions including diabetic foot care, foot pain and trauma.
Our clinic provides professional toenail fungus treatment close to home, helping restore healthy nails and prevent infection from spreading. With podiatrist-led care, convenient locations, and accessible facilities, we make it easy to get effective treatment and protect your foot health.
Toenail fungus in seniors is not just cosmetic—it can make walking uncomfortable and increase the risk of secondary injury, especially in thick, brittle, or painful nails. Custom orthotics help protect your nails by offloading pressure, improving foot alignment, and reducing friction, allowing treatments to work more effectively.
Unlike standard insoles, custom orthotics are designed specifically for your feet, nail condition, and walking mechanics, ensuring maximum comfort and protection.
Custom orthotics are prescribed only when clinically appropriate and integrated into your overall toenail fungus treatment plan.
Our priority is safe walking, nail protection, and effective healing.
Real patients. Real relief. Discover why seniors in Howell and Bloomfield Hills choose Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist.
“My ulcer pain was terrible every morning. After custom orthotics and therapy, I’m finally walking normally again.”
“I stand all day for work and the pain became unbearable. One visit and a clear treatment plan changed everything.”
“I tried home remedies for foot wound for months with no relief. Dr. Biernacki diagnosed the real issue and now I’m pain-free.”
“As a senior, I was nervous about the pain. The team treated me gently and professionally—my heel feels so much better now.”
Toenail Pain (Toenail Fungus, Ingrown Toenails, Discolored Toenails)
Many people hope for an instant cure for toenail fungus, but medically speaking, there is no treatment that permanently kills toenail fungus instantly. Toenail fungus lives underneath and within the nail plate, making it difficult for quick, surface-level solutions to reach the infection. Products that promise instant results may temporarily improve the appearance of the nail or reduce odor, but they do not eliminate the fungus causing the infection.
Many people hope for an instant cure for toenail fungus, but medically speaking, there is no treatment that permanently kills toenail fungus instantly. Toenail fungus lives underneath and within the nail plate, making it difficult for quick, surface-level solutions to reach the infection. Products that promise instant results may temporarily improve the appearance of the nail or reduce odor, but they do not eliminate the fungus causing the infection.
These may temporarily reduce odor or discoloration but usually do not eliminate the infection
Prescription oral antifungal medications
These attack the fungus from inside the body and are the most effective option for moderate to severe infections.
Prescription topical antifungal treatments
Stronger than over-the-counter products and designed to penetrate the nail.
Combination therapy
Using oral medication plus topical treatment often improves success rates.
Professional nail debridement
A podiatrist thins or trims the infected nail so medication can work better.
You should see a foot doctor if:
The nail is thick, painful, or discolored
The infection keeps coming back
You have diabetes or circulation problems
A podiatrist can confirm the diagnosis and recommend the fastest, safest treatment for your situation.
If you want, I can explain treatment timelines, laser options, or how to prevent toenail fungus from coming back.
Toenail fungus lives under the nail. Even when the fungus is killed, healthy nail growth takes months, which is why results aren’t instant.
Many people search for “what kills toenail fungus instantly” because toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is frustrating, slow to heal, and often embarrassing. The honest medical answer is that there is no truly instant cure that permanently kills toenail fungus in one application. Toenail fungus lives deep under the nail plate, where over-the-counter remedies and home treatments cannot easily reach. Products claiming instant results may temporarily reduce odor or surface discoloration, but they rarely eliminate the infection at its source.
That said, the fastest medically proven ways to kill toenail fungus involve prescription-strength treatments. Oral antifungal medications work systemically, attacking the fungus from the inside out, while prescription topical antifungals are formulated to penetrate the nail more effectively than store-bought products. In some cases, podiatrists may recommend combination therapy, using both oral and topical treatments to improve success rates and shorten treatment time. While results are not instant, these methods are the most effective at truly killing the fungus.
Many people try home remedies like vinegar, tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda because they are easy and inexpensive. While these substances may have mild antifungal properties, they do not reliably kill toenail fungus, especially in moderate to severe cases. At best, home remedies may slow fungal growth or improve nail appearance temporarily. Relying on them alone often allows the infection to spread, thicken the nail, and become harder to treat later.
This gallery shows different types of toenail fungus.
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Many people hope for an instant cure for toenail fungus, but medically speaking, there is no treatment that permanently kills toenail fungus instantly. Toenail fungus lives underneath and within the nail plate, making it difficult for quick, surface-level solutions to reach the infection. Products that promise instant results may temporarily improve the appearance of the nail or reduce odor, but they do not eliminate the fungus causing the infection.
Many people hope for an instant cure for toenail fungus, but medically speaking, there is no treatment that permanently kills toenail fungus instantly. Toenail fungus lives underneath and within the nail plate, making it difficult for quick, surface-level solutions to reach the infection. Products that promise instant results may temporarily improve the appearance of the nail or reduce odor, but they do not eliminate the fungus causing the infection.


























Best Woman’s Antifungal Socks:








Best Men’s Antifungal Socks:




Serving seniors, workers, and athletes with personalized treatment plans that support mobility, stability, and long-term foot health.
Ankle Sprain / Instability Treatment
Achilles Tendonitis & Rupture Care
Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain Relief
Stress Fracture Evaluation & Treatmen
Custom Athletic Orthotics
Hammertoe / Toe Deformity Correction
Sports-Related Surgery
Foot & Ankle Strengthening & Rehab
Blisters & Skin Protection
Gait Analysis & Performance Assessment
Ankle Sprain / Instability Treatment
Achilles Tendonitis & Rupture Care
Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain Relief
Stress Fracture Evaluation & Treatment
Custom Athletic Orthotics
Hammertoe / Toe Deformity Correction
Sports-Related Surgery
Foot & Ankle Strengthening & Rehab
Blisters & Skin Protection
Gait Analysis & Performance Assessment
There is no treatment that permanently kills toenail fungus instantly. The infection lives beneath the nail, making quick fixes ineffective. Prescription antifungal medications—oral or topical—are the fastest and most reliable ways to eliminate the fungus, but healthy nail growth takes time.
Prescription oral antifungal medication is often the most effective treatment for moderate to severe toenail fungus. In some cases, podiatrists recommend combining oral medication with prescription topical treatments for better results.
Over-the-counter treatments may help very mild cases, but they usually do not penetrate the nail deeply enough to fully eliminate the infection. Many people see temporary improvement without long-term results.
Even after successful treatment, it can take 6–12 months for a healthy toenail to fully grow back. Improvement is gradual as the damaged nail grows out.
Toenail fungus is not usually dangerous, but it can worsen over time, cause pain, nail thickening, spreading infection, and complications—especially for people with diabetes or circulation issues.
You should see a podiatrist if the nail becomes painful, thick, discolored, spreads to other nails, or does not improve with basic care. Early treatment improves success and prevents permanent nail damage.
Toenail fungus is treated with prescription antifungal medication, either oral, topical, or both. A podiatrist may also trim and thin the nail to help treatment work better. Results take time as healthy nail grows out.
Don’t wait for the infection to worsen. Schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for safe, effective toenail fungus care.
If you're wincing with your first few steps every morning, or dreading a night out because you know your feet won't cooperate — you already know how much foot pain quietly steals from you.
You brace yourself before your feet hit the floor. The sharp heel pain that greets you every single morning.
Nothing fits comfortably anymore. You've given up heels, your favorite sneakers, and any shoe that looks professional.
The trip you said no to. The walk you cut short. The grandkids you can't keep up with anymore.
Ibuprofen at breakfast. Ice packs at night. Temporary relief — but the pain is always back by morning.
Chronic foot pain doesn't just hurt — it quietly erodes the experiences that make life worth living. Here's what our patients tell us they've given up:
"If any of this sounds familiar — you don't have to keep living this way."
At Balance Foot & Ankle, we don't just mask the pain. We diagnose exactly what's driving it — then use the most modern, minimally invasive treatments available to fix it, permanently.
FDA-cleared dual-wavelength laser that penetrates deep tissue to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing at the cellular level. No surgery, no downtime. Patients often feel relief after the very first session.
Learn how it works →Non-invasive acoustic wave technology that triggers your body's own healing response — breaking up scar tissue and stimulating collagen production. 80%+ success rate for chronic plantar fasciitis.
See patient results →When conservative treatments aren't enough, our MIS techniques use pencil-thin instruments through micro-incisions. Faster recovery, less scarring, and back on your feet in days — not months.
Explore procedures →3D-scanned to your exact foot anatomy. Not the generic insoles from the drugstore — precision-engineered supports that correct the biomechanical issues causing your pain from the ground up.
How orthotics help →PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy uses your body's own growth factors to heal damaged tendons and ligaments from the inside out. A powerful alternative to cortisone that promotes lasting recovery.
About regenerative care →Laser toenail fungus treatment, ingrown nail correction, wart removal, corn and callus care — all handled in our comfortable clinic setting with same-day appointments available.
View all conditions →We know starting with a new doctor can feel overwhelming. So we've made the path from pain to recovery as clear as three steps.
Online in 60 seconds, or call us. Same-day slots are available in Howell and Bloomfield Hills.
Digital X-rays, gait analysis, and Dr. Tom's 15+ years of expertise — we find exactly what's causing your pain.
A personalised treatment plan that works around your schedule and goals — not a generic protocol.
Dr. Tom doesn't just treat patients in the clinic — he's Michigan's most-watched podiatrist online, with a YouTube channel that has helped over a million people understand their foot health. That depth of knowledge comes to every appointment.
"After years of plantar fasciitis, Dr. Tom had me pain-free in three laser sessions. I genuinely cried when I walked to my mailbox without limping for the first time. Cannot recommend enough."— Sarah K., Bloomfield Hills
"I was terrified of foot surgery. Dr. Tom explained the minimally invasive procedure step by step. Six weeks later, I walked my daughter down the aisle. Best decision I ever made."— Robert M., Howell
"Same-day appointment, thorough diagnosis, and a treatment plan that actually worked. I'd been to two other podiatrists before. Wish I'd found Dr. Tom first. Already back on the golf course."— Jim P., West Bloomfield
Don't let another morning start with that sharp, grinding pain. Our team is ready to see you — often today.
Book My Appointment Now →Or call us directly: (810) 206-1402
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