Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Township Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Get Directions →
Watch: Anesthesia for Foot Surgery: Your Options
Dr. Tom on foot-surgery anesthesia — local, MAC (twilight), regional ankle block, spinal, general — pros, cons, what’s used for which procedure.
Post-Surgery Recovery Kit
Plan for post-op recovery. Dr. Tom’s kit:
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. This supports our free patient education content.
Protected ambulation post-op.
Day 1 swelling control (critical).
Return-to-shoe phase.
Topical pain adjunct to reduce opioid use.
Related: Bunion Surgery · Hammertoe Surgery · Book Pre-Op Consultation
More Podiatrist-Recommended Surgery Essentials
OOFOS Recovery Slide
Post-op approved — impact-absorbing slide for early recovery.
HOKA Ora 3 Recovery Slide
Max-cushion recovery sandal — comfort for post-surgical swelling.
Hoka Bondi 9
Max-cushion walking shoe — ease into return-to-walking post-surgery.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
Foot and ankle surgery in 2026 is dramatically different than a decade ago — most procedures are now minimally-invasive, outpatient, and allow weight-bearing within days. Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot/ankle surgeries with modern techniques. If another surgeon has recommended a traditional open procedure, a second opinion may reveal a faster, less-invasive option.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Township
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI. Last updated April 2026.
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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Township Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Get Directions →
Watch: Anesthesia for Foot Surgery: Your Options
Dr. Tom on foot-surgery anesthesia — local, MAC (twilight), regional ankle block, spinal, general — pros, cons, what’s used for which procedure.
Post-Surgery Recovery Kit
Plan for post-op recovery. Dr. Tom’s kit:
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. This supports our free patient education content.
Protected ambulation post-op.
Day 1 swelling control (critical).
Return-to-shoe phase.
Topical pain adjunct to reduce opioid use.
Related: Bunion Surgery · Hammertoe Surgery · Book Pre-Op Consultation
More Podiatrist-Recommended Surgery Essentials
OOFOS Recovery Slide
Post-op approved — impact-absorbing slide for early recovery.
HOKA Ora 3 Recovery Slide
Max-cushion recovery sandal — comfort for post-surgical swelling.
Hoka Bondi 9
Max-cushion walking shoe — ease into return-to-walking post-surgery.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
Foot and ankle surgery in 2026 is dramatically different than a decade ago — most procedures are now minimally-invasive, outpatient, and allow weight-bearing within days. Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot/ankle surgeries with modern techniques. If another surgeon has recommended a traditional open procedure, a second opinion may reveal a faster, less-invasive option.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Township
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.