Balance Foot & Ankle provides board-certified podiatry care for Ann Arbor patients at our Howell office, located at 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 — about 35 minutes from downtown Ann Arbor via US-23 North and I-96 West. Many Ann Arbor patients choose us for same-week appointments with a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon, without the long scheduling queues of a large hospital system. Call (810) 206-1402 or request your first visit online.
Why Ann Arbor Patients Drive to Balance Foot & Ankle
Ann Arbor has excellent medical care, but getting a podiatry appointment inside a large health system can take weeks. Balance Foot & Ankle offers most new patients an appointment within the same week, and you will always be treated by a podiatrist — not rotated through residents or referred out for routine procedures. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified podiatric surgeon who has performed over 3,000 foot and ankle surgeries, and our practice holds a 4.9-star rating from more than 1,123 Google reviews.
Ann Arbor is also one of the most active running communities in Michigan. From Gallup Park and the Border-to-Border Trail to the Ann Arbor Marathon, we regularly treat Ann Arbor runners for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, and chronic heel pain — and our goal is always to keep you training, not to put you in a boot longer than necessary.
Foot & Ankle Services for Ann Arbor Patients
Our Howell office provides the full range of podiatric care, from conservative treatment to reconstructive surgery:
- Heel pain and plantar fasciitis treatment — including shockwave and custom orthotics
- Bunion evaluation and treatment, including minimally invasive (MIS) bunion surgery with smaller incisions and faster recovery
- Ingrown toenail and toenail fungus care, including permanent ingrown nail correction
- Diabetic foot care, neuropathy evaluation, and wound care
- Sports injuries and ankle sprains — common among Ann Arbor’s runners and club athletes
- Custom orthotics molded in office
- Medical pedicures performed in a sterile clinical setting
Meet Our Podiatrists
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS
Board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Balance Foot & Ankle. Dr. Biernacki has performed more than 3,000 surgeries and specializes in bunion correction, heel pain, and complex foot and ankle reconstruction. View full bio →
Dr. Carl Jay, DPM
Dr. Jay provides comprehensive medical and surgical foot care, with a focus on diabetic foot health, nail and skin conditions, and conservative treatment of heel and arch pain.
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM
Dr. Gutkin treats the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions and is known for thorough, unhurried visits — a frequent comment in our patient reviews.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Ann Arbor
Our Howell office sits on East Grand River Avenue just off I-96, an easy highway drive from the Ann Arbor area with free parking at the door — no parking structures, no shuttle.
From downtown Ann Arbor or the U-M campus
Take US-23 North past Whitmore Lake, merge onto I-96 West toward Lansing, and exit at Grand River Avenue in Howell. The office is at 4330 E Grand River Ave — roughly 35 minutes door to door.
From Dexter, Chelsea, or Saline
Most patients take M-52 or US-23 north to I-96 and head west to Howell; plan on 35–45 minutes depending on your starting point.
From Whitmore Lake, Hamburg, or Pinckney
You are closer than you think — typically 15–25 minutes via M-36 and D-19 or I-96.
Communities We Serve Near Ann Arbor
From our Howell office we regularly see patients from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Whitmore Lake, Hamburg, Pinckney, and the surrounding Washtenaw County communities. Patients on the east side of the metro area may prefer our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302.
Insurance and New Patient Information
We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, HAP, and Priority Health. See our full insurance information → New patients can complete intake forms online before their first visit, and same-week appointments are usually available.
Frequently Asked Questions — Ann Arbor Patients
Do you have an office in Ann Arbor?
We do not have a physical office in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor patients are seen at our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 — about 35 minutes north via US-23 and I-96. Many tell us the drive is faster than the wait for an appointment closer to home.
How quickly can an Ann Arbor patient be seen?
Most new patients are offered an appointment within the same week. Call (810) 206-1402 and our team will find the earliest opening.
Do I need a referral from my Ann Arbor primary care doctor?
Most insurance plans let you see a podiatrist without a referral. Some HMO plans require one — check your plan or call us and we will verify your coverage before your visit.
Can you do surgery if I need it, or will I be referred elsewhere?
Dr. Biernacki is a board-certified podiatric surgeon, so evaluation, conservative care, and surgery — including minimally invasive bunion correction — all stay within one practice.
Is parking really free?
Yes — our Howell office has free surface parking directly outside the entrance, with accessible spaces at the door.
Schedule Your Appointment
Ready to get answers about your foot or ankle pain? Call (810) 206-1402 or book online today.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843
(810) 206-1402