Pediatric Podiatrist for Children in Michigan | DPM

Quick answer: Childrens Pediatric Podiatrist affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

Children’s Podiatrist Near Me – Gentle Foot Care You Can Trust

Do you need a Pediatric Podiatrist or a Children’s Podiatrist? We can help provide the BEST foot & Ankle Care! Look! We can help with skin conditions like warts, rashes, and calluses. We can help with bunions, flat feet, and ankle pain. We can perform a gait analysis for growing pain! We can help with shoes and custom orthotics. So don’t wait. See a board-certified podiatrist TODAY!

See a board-certified podiatrist TODAY! TWO LOCATIONS, ONE GOAL: YOUR COMFORT Find Expert Children’s Podiatrist Near You. Howell 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 810-206-1402 Book Now Bloomfield Hills 43494 Woodward Ave # 208, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 810-206-1402 Book Now Why Your Child May Need a Pediatric Foot Doctor Children often struggle to explain foot or ankle pain, and subtle gait problems may go unnoticed. A pediatric foot doctor is trained to diagnose and treat these issues early—before they turn into long-term problems. From flat feet and toe walking to sports injuries and heel pain, early podiatric care ensures your child stays active, confident, and pain-free as they grow. Whether your little one is a toddler just starting to walk or a young athlete with recurring pain, expert care is available. Common Pediatric Foot Problems We Treat

Pediatric foot conditions are different from adult issues. That’s why seeing a specialized pediatric podiatrist is crucial. Some of the most common conditions we treat include:

• Flat feet or fallen arches

• Toe walking

• In-toeing or out-toeing

• Sever’s disease (heel pain in kids)

• Sports injuries and sprains

• Ingrown toenails

• Warts or skin issues

• Growth plate irritation

• Walking imbalance or limping

• Curled or overlapping toes

With customized treatment plans, orthotics, physical therapy, and gentle care, we help your child walk, run, and play without limits.

Worried About Your Child’s Feet? We’re Here to Help!

At Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist, we specialize in caring for children’s feet with compassion and expertise. Dr. Tom Biernacki and Dr. Carl Jay have years of experience helping kids feel comfortable while receiving top-tier foot care. Whether it’s pain, posture, or just peace of mind—trust your child’s feet with our pediatric foot doctors in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Call today or book an appointment online. Let’s get your child back on their feet—happy, healthy, and pain-free!

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Why Parents Choose Us for a Children’s Podiatrist Near Me

Based on your child’s condition, we may recommend:

• Child-specific custom orthotics
• Supportive athletic shoes
• Heel cups for growth-related heel pain
• Protective padding for pressure areas
• Foot hygiene and nail care products

All recommendations are medically guided—not retail-driven.

Book Your Podiatrist Visit Now

Trusted Podiatrist in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, MI

Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM (Podiatrist, Wound Care, Foot & Ankle Specialist)

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, is a highly respected and experienced podiatrist proudly serving patients in Howell, Michigan, and throughout Oakland County. With a strong commitment to personalized patient care, Dr. Biernacki specializes in diagnosing and treating a many foot and ankle conditions, including chronic foot pain, sports injuries, diabetic foot care, and structural deformities. His practice offers comprehensive services such as routine foot care, advanced wound care, and both non-surgical and surgical solutions for complex issues affecting the lower extremities. Known for his compassionate approach and attention to detail, Dr. Biernacki works closely with each patient to create a customized treatment plan that ensures the best possible outcome.

Dr. Carl Jay DPM (Podiatric Surgeon & Foot Doctor)

Dr. Carl Jay is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and proud partner at Balance Foot & Ankle. After completing his residency at the Genesys Regional Medical Center program, he took his talents to Texas. There he covered trauma call, treated complex wounds in the Wound Care Center, and cared for a many patients in private practice, from diabetic limb preservation to sports medicine. Dr. Jay certainly enjoyed practicing in the Lone Star State. (I mean that amazing warm weather and sunshine.)Family brought him back to Michigan. Now serving the Detroit Metro area, Dr. Jay brings advanced treatment modalities and years of surgical and clinical experience to every patient encounter. He’s passionate about delivering expert, compassionate care that helps people move better and live better. Over 10,000 Patients Helped Advanced 3D Orthotic Scanning

Trusted Children’s Podiatrist Near You in Howell & Bloomfield Hills

  “Dr. Carl Jay was amazing with my 6-year-old! He explained everything in a way my child could understand and made the visit fun and stress-free. My son’s flat feet are already feeling better, and I feel confident we’re in great hands. Highly recommend for any parent searching for a children’s podiatrist near me.” – Rose, Howell, MI   “I was worried about my daughter’s recurring heel pain from soccer. The team at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist was so caring and professional. They evaluated her thoroughly and provided custom orthotics that made a huge difference. Fantastic experience for families!” – Maita, Bloomfield HIlls, MI   “We found Dr. Tom Biernacki after searching ‘children’s podiatrist near me’ and couldn’t be happier. My 8-year-old had an ingrown toenail that was painful for weeks. Dr. Biernacki handled it gently and explained the process clearly. No tears, no stress, just excellent care!” – Kate, Bloomfield HIlls, MI Pediatric Podiatrist Treatment Our friendly and caring podiatric physicians are just the people to treat your child’s conditions. Read below for more!’

Common Children’s Podiatrist Foot Problems

• Pediatric podiatrists refer to pediatric foot problems as podopediatrics.
• Foot problems in your child may appear at birth, shortly thereafter, or once your child is walking.
• Walking abnormally is often the first sign that something is wrong with your child’s foot or their feet.
• Adolescents and teenage children may develop foot or ankle problems, and these should not be ignored.
• It is important to watch for any foot deformities, limp in your adolescent or teenage child, and see our podiatrists or an expert in pediatric podiatry if you notice any foot issues.
• To see our well-trained pediatric podiatrists today!

Common Pediatric Foot Problems We Treat

Pediatric foot conditions are different from adult issues. That’s why seeing a specialized pediatric podiatrist is crucial. Some of the most common conditions we treat include:

• Flat feet or fallen arches

• Toe walking

• In-toeing or out-toeing

• Sever’s disease (heel pain in kids)

• Sports injuries and sprains

• Ingrown toenails

• Warts or skin issues

• Growth plate irritation

• Walking imbalance or limping

• Curled or overlapping toes

With customized treatment plans, orthotics, physical therapy, and gentle care, we help your child walk, run, and play without limits.

Pediatric Heel Pain Heel pain in a child is a common problem. One of the first signs you may notice is your child limping.

• Pediatric heel pain differs from adult heel pain in that the child’s foot is still growing, and as a result, more flexible.
• Your child’s heel pain may be due to an abnormality of the heel bone’s growth area. In these cases, the growth area of the heel bone becomes inflamed, and pain worsens when your child tries to walk or participate in sports. Other heel pain causes include a fracture, bone tumor, bursitis, or infection.
• If you notice your child limping or complaining of heel or arch pain, you should have the child’s evaluated by one of our podiatrists as soon as possible.

In-toeing or Out-toeing in Children

• In-toeing is often referred to as walking pigeon-toed. Instead of the foot pointed straight ahead, the foot turns inward.
• Sometimes in-toeing occurs with only one foot, or it may affect both feet.
• The child may limp, stumble, or even trip and fall when running or walking. In-toeing may be due to a structural issue with the foot itself or related to the leg or hips.
• Out-toeing is the reverse of in-toeing, where the child’s foot points outward when they are walking. Again, this problem can affect one or both feet, and it can cause the child to stumble or even fall when running or walking. Both in-toeing and out-toeing are considered structural problems, and when these problems are caught early, they are easy to correct.
• Most parents can spot in-toeing or out-toeing in their child, usually shortly after they begin to walk. If you suspect in-toeing or out-toeing, you should bring your child in to evaluate with one of our podiatrists.

Toe-Walking in Children

• Some toddlers or even older children may walk more on their toes or the front of their foot rather than putting their heels down on the ground. The child who toe-walks may appear to “bounce” as they walk.
• This problem may be due to bone abnormality in the child’s foot or a neurologic issue, though more often is due to the tendon at the back of the leg, called the Achilles tendon, being too short.
• Most of the time, a tight Achilles tendon can be treated conservatively, though in severe cases, our podiatrists may do a small procedure to help lengthen the tendon.

Ingrown Toenails in Children

• Ingrown toenails are common in people of all ages, and children are no exception.
• An ingrown toenail can be painful and cause your child (or you!) to limp or avoid wearing their shoes. Our podiatrists treat ingrown toenails just about every day. In fact, a painful ingrown toenail is one of the most common problems our podiatrists treat.
• Alleviating an ingrown toenail is easy and fast when it is addressed promptly. You mustn’t ignore your child’s ingrown toenails as they can become infected and lead to other complications.

Plantar Warts

• Plantar warts show up on the bottom of a child’s (or adult’s) foot, though warts can occur anywhere on foot.
• Warts are due to a virus, and they tend to affect children’s feet more than adults. Plantar warts are easy to catch, and they can spread rapidly—they are highly contagious. Worse, plantar warts can be irritating or even painful.
• Parents who notice a plantar wart on their child’s foot should see our podiatrists immediately before the wart spreads.
• Most of the treatments for plantar warts are easy and painless. Our podiatrists may use a laser to destroy the wart or other methods in more advanced or resistant cases.

Low-Cost, Affordable Cash Price and Payment Plans for Childrens’ Foot Troubles

• If you do not have insurance or are underinsured, have a high deductible, and wish to pay cash, we will work with you!
• We understand that not everyone has insurance, and we offer an affordable, reduced fee, low-cost cash price (and payment plans) for your child’s foot problem.
• Whether your child needs custom-made orthotics, ingrown toenail surgery, wart surgery, or other pediatric foot problem, we will work with you to get your child well at an affordable cash price (and affordable, low-cost payment plan).

Pediatric Podiatrist Locations:

Areas We Serve

The podiatrists & foot doctors of Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists are available for in office visits, home care and telehealth for the following locations:

Looking for a Trusted Pediatric Foot Doctor Near Me? Here’s What to Know

If you’ve been searching for a pediatric foot doctor near me, you’re already taking the right step toward ensuring your child’s long-term foot health. Children often experience unique issues like flat feet, toe walking, and growth-related pain that require specialized care. A pediatric podiatrist is trained to diagnose and treat these conditions gently and effectively. At Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist, we’re proud to serve families in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, providing expert foot care tailored just for kids. From toddlers to teens, we help young feet grow strong, pain-free, and active.

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Children’s Podiatrist Near You FAQ

What does a pediatric foot doctor treat? They specialize in foot and ankle conditions affecting children, such as flat feet, heel pain, and toe walking. When should my child see a foot doctor?

If your child complains of foot pain, walks unusually, or avoids activity, a podiatric consult is a good idea.

Are flat feet in kids normal?

Flat feet are common in young children but should be evaluated if pain, imbalance, or tripping occurs.

Can a podiatrist help with toe walking?

Yes. Persistent toe walking may signal tight tendons or neurological concerns and should be assessed.

Is heel pain normal in kids?

Not always. It’s often a condition called Sever’s disease and requires treatment to prevent ongoing pain.

Do pediatric podiatrists perform surgery?

Surgery is rare and only recommended if conservative treatments fail.

Can a podiatrist help with sports injuries in kids?

Yes, they can treat sprains, fractures, and overuse injuries common in active children.

Do kids need custom orthotics?

Some children benefit from orthotics to correct walking patterns and reduce pain.

What age should kids start seeing a podiatrist?

Anytime there’s a concern. Many parents start around age 2–3 if walking seems off.

How do I prepare my child for a foot doctor visit?

Bring your child’s shoes, list of symptoms, and encourage them that it’s a simple, gentle check-up.

How do I find the best pediatric foot doctor near me?

To find the best pediatric foot doctor near me, look for a clinic that specializes in children’s podiatry, has excellent patient reviews, and offers personalized care for young patients. It’s important the doctor has experience treating common childhood foot conditions like flat feet, toe walking, or heel pain. If you’re in Michigan, you can trust the team at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Howell and Bloomfield Hills—where compassionate care meets advanced pediatric foot treatment.

Schedule Your Child’s Podiatry Visit Today

Healthy feet help children stay active, confident, and pain-free. Book a Children’s Podiatrist Near You (810) 206-1402

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Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Foot & Ankle Arthritis Treatment

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

References

1. Evans AM, et al. Flat feet: a registration study. J Paediatr Child Health. 2004;40(11):592-596.
2. Staheli LT. Evaluation of planovalgus foot deformities with special reference to the natural history. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1987;77(1):2-6.
3. Halabchi F, et al. Pediatric flexible flatfoot: clinical aspects and algorithmic approach. Iran J Pediatr. 2013;23(3):247-260.

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.

What is Foot pain?

Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.

Symptoms and warning signs

Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.

Conservative treatment options

Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.

Recovery timeline and prevention

Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.