Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-day appointments for urgent foot and ankle conditions across Southeast Michigan — but the most important factor in outcomes isn’t getting seen quickly. Our podiatrists explain what to do in the first 24-48 hours before your appointment that most patients skip entirely. Call (810) 206-1402 — expert podiatric care across Michigan.
Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
The most important clinical decision with Auburn Hills Michigan Podiatrist isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Expert Foot & Ankle Care for Auburn Hills and Northern Oakland County
Auburn Hills is one of northern Oakland County’s most dynamic communities — home to the Stellantis (formerly FCA) world headquarters, multiple Fortune 500 offices, Oakland University, and a thriving residential community. The city’s corporate, academic, and residential character creates a diverse patient population with varied foot health needs.
Dr. Tom Biernacki serves Auburn Hills and surrounding northern Oakland County communities with the full spectrum of specialist podiatric care.
Foot Health in Auburn Hills: Community Profile
Corporate and Professional Workforce Foot Conditions
Auburn Hills’ substantial corporate workforce — working in Stellantis headquarters, automotive suppliers, and the I-75/M-59 office corridor — presents with the classic desk-worker foot health pattern: plantar fasciitis from inadequate footwear during the commute and workday, metatarsalgia in professional dress shoes with insufficient forefoot support, and the weekend athlete syndrome where sedentary weekdays are followed by high-impact recreational activity on weekends.
Oakland University Athletic and Student Population
Oakland University’s student population and athletic programs generate a significant volume of sports-related foot and ankle injuries. OU’s athletic teams — particularly cross-country, track, and field sports — produce the full spectrum of running-related injuries including stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and ankle sprains. We coordinate with Oakland University’s sports medicine program when appropriate for student-athletes requiring podiatric care.
Automotive Industry Occupational Foot Injuries
Auburn Hills’ automotive supplier and manufacturing presence — while less concentrated than in previous decades — still employs workers in assembly and manufacturing settings where prolonged standing and occupational foot hazards are part of the job. We provide occupational foot health evaluation with workers’ compensation documentation when applicable.
Diabetic Foot Care
Auburn Hills’ diverse community includes a significant population of diabetic patients who require annual foot surveillance and active diabetic foot management. We provide comprehensive diabetic foot care coordinated with Oakland County primary care and endocrinology practices.
Northern Oakland County Healthcare Access
Auburn Hills is served by Corewell Health (Beaumont Botsford), McLaren Oakland, and other northern Oakland County providers. Dr. Biernacki accepts referrals from primary care physicians throughout the Auburn Hills corridor and provides detailed care coordination for complex patients managing diabetes, vascular disease, and other systemic conditions affecting foot health.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Clarks Men’s Un Pilot Step Dress Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Professional dress shoe with built-in OrthoLite footbed and flexible outsole — eliminates the choice between professional appearance and foot comfort for Auburn Hills corporate workers. Reduces plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia from daily business footwear.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist told me my foot pain was from my dress shoes and I needed better support. These Clarks are the only dress shoes I can wear for a full Stellantis workday without pain.”
Auburn Hills corporate workers, professional footwear with arch support, plantar fasciitis in dress shoes
Patients needing custom orthotics — professional insole shoes may need modification to accommodate orthotics
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Brooks Glycerin 21 Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Maximum cushion neutral running shoe for Oakland University athletes and Auburn Hills recreational runners. DNA LOFT v3 midsole provides superior shock absorption for plantar fasciitis management and high-mileage training.
Dr. Tom says: “My Oakland University track coach recommended getting a foot evaluation when my plantar fasciitis started. Dr. Biernacki cleared me to keep training with these shoes and custom orthotics.”
Oakland University athletes, Auburn Hills recreational runners, plantar fasciitis, high-mileage training
Significant overpronators — choose Brooks Adrenaline GTS for stability
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles
⭐ Highly Rated
Semi-rigid arch support insole effective in both corporate dress footwear and athletic shoes — helping Auburn Hills’ corporate-to-recreational population maintain biomechanical support across their varied footwear demands.
Dr. Tom says: “Working a desk job at a Stellantis supplier then running on weekends was destroying my feet. These insoles in both my dress shoes and running shoes made a huge difference.”
Auburn Hills corporate and athletic population, plantar fasciitis, dual-use insole for work and exercise
Patients with custom orthotics prescribed
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Serves Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, and northern Oakland County communities
- Sports medicine podiatric care for Oakland University athletes and student-athletes
- Corporate footwear consultation for Auburn Hills professional workforce
- Coordination with Corewell Health, McLaren Oakland, and Oakland County primary care
- Diabetic foot care for Auburn Hills’ diverse patient population
❌ Cons / Risks
- Auburn Hills is in northern Oakland County — confirm drive time from your location
- Complex surgical cases may require hospital OR coordination
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Auburn Hills is interesting because it mixes two different patient types I see a lot — the corporate professional who sits at a desk all week and overdoes it on weekends, and the student athlete who trains hard and needs their feet to stay functional for their sport. Both populations have urgency around getting back to their activity, and that motivation makes them great patients to work with.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Biernacki serve Auburn Hills?
Yes. We serve patients from Auburn Hills and surrounding northern Oakland County communities including Rochester Hills, Pontiac, and Lake Orion.
Do you work with Oakland University athletes?
Yes. We see student-athletes and recreational athletes from the Oakland University community for sports-related foot and ankle injuries. We understand the demands of collegiate athletics and work to keep athletes active while healing.
What foot problems are most common in Auburn Hills workers?
Corporate professionals in Auburn Hills most commonly present with plantar fasciitis from inadequate dress footwear support, metatarsalgia in narrow business shoes, and the weekend warrior syndrome from sedentary workweeks followed by intense weekend activity.
How do I get to Balance Foot & Ankle from Auburn Hills?
Auburn Hills patients can reach our office via I-75 and connecting routes. Call our office for specific directions from your location.
Do you see urgent foot problems for Auburn Hills patients?
Yes. We accommodate urgent same-day or next-day appointments for acute foot and ankle problems — including suspected fractures, infections, and severe acute pain — for Auburn Hills patients. Call our office when you have an urgent concern.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
4.9★ rated | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills
📞 (810) 206-1402 Book Online →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a podiatrist?
If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).
What does treatment cost?
Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.
In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot issues, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.
American Podiatric Medical Association: Find a Podiatrist
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
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.