Children’s Podiatrist Near Me

Quick answer: Childrens Podiatrist Near Me 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 Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

The Best Children’s Podiatrist Near Me

Gentle, expert foot and ankle care for infants, toddlers, children, and teens—close to home.

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Looking for a Trusted Children’s Podiatrist Near You?

Children’s feet are still growing, which means pediatric foot problems are very different from adult conditions and require specialized care. Issues like flat feet, heel pain, or gait concerns can affect development if left untreated, but early intervention can prevent long-term pain and future complications. Our approach is gentle, age-appropriate, and family-centered, ensuring both children and parents feel comfortable and informed at every visit. If you’re searching for a pediatric podiatrist near me or a trusted children’s foot doctor near me, our local clinic provides expert care close to home, making it easy to get the right help at the right time.

Why Pediatric Foot Care Matters

Healthy Feet Today Support a Lifetime of Movement

Growing bones and muscles need expert monitoring to catch problems early and prevent future pain or surgery.

• Growing bones and muscles need expert monitoring
• Early correction prevents future pain or surgery
• Many foot issues go unnoticed without expert care

Common Foot & Ankle Conditions in Children

Flat feet

Toe walking

Ingrown toenails

Heel pain (Sever’s disease)

Warts

Sports injuries

Sprains and fractures

Infections

Gait abnormalities

Congenital foot conditions

Gentle, Child-Focused Treatment

• Non-invasive treatments first
• Clear explanations for parents
• Child-friendly exam rooms
  
• Minimal discomfort techniques
• Custom orthotics designed for growing feet

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Our board-certified podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle care.

Meet Your Child’s Foot Doctor​

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Provides comprehensive foot and ankle care for patients in Howell and Bloomfield Township, focusing on accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and long-term mobility.

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Dr. Carl Jay,
DPM

Delivers trusted general podiatric care, helping patients manage foot and ankle pain, injuries, and chronic conditions with plan tailored to your foot types.

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Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Offers attentive foot and ankle care for a many conditions, emphasizing preventive care and patient education to support healthy, active lifestyles.

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The Best Children’s Podiatrist
Patient Reviews

“We brought our daughter to Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Howell for heel pain, and the experience was wonderful. The doctor explained everything clearly and made sure she felt comfortable the entire time. She left smiling—and pain-free. As parents, that means everything to us.”

Charmaine
Howell Location

“Our son was nervous about seeing a foot doctor, but Dr. Carl Jay was incredibly patient and kind. He explained the problem in a way we could understand and reassured us every step of the way. The staff at the Bloomfield Township office truly knows how to care for children.”

Deborah
Bloomfield Township Location

“My child had an ingrown toenail, and I was worried it would be painful. The team in Howell handled everything so gently and calmly. They took the time to answer all our questions and made sure my child felt safe. Excellent care and recommended for kids.”

Liz
Howell Location

“We visited Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Bloomfield Township for our child’s flat feet. The doctor explained the condition thoroughly and didn’t rush us at all. We felt informed, confident, and supported. It’s rare to find a clinic that treats both kids and parents with such care.”

Divine
Bloomfield Township Location

“Our teenage athlete had foot pain from sports, and the care we received was outstanding. The doctor spoke directly to our child, explained the treatment plan clearly, and helped them feel involved and confident. We saw improvement quickly and felt we were in the best hands.”

Alice
Howell or Bloomfield Township

“As a parent, trust is everything. The team at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist made us feel heard and never rushed. They took a gentle approach, explained each step, and truly cared about our child’s comfort. We wouldn’t take our kids anywhere else.”

Joane
Howell or Bloomfield Township

Our Locations

Children’s Podiatrist Near Me in
Bloomfield Township

Your trusted podiatrist near Birmingham, Troy, Pontiac, and nearby communities.
✓ Easy parking
✓ Modern clinic
✓ Ideal for diabetic patients, seniors, and families

Book Your Bloomfield Township Appointment

Children’s Podiatrist Near Me in Howell

Convenient for patients in Hartland, Brighton, Fowlerville, and surrounding areas.
✓ Family-friendly
✓ Advanced treatment options
✓ Same-day visits available

Schedule Your Howell Visit

We Make Pediatric Care Easy for Families

• Insurance accepted
• Medicaid/Medicare if applicable
• Flexible scheduling
• School-friendly appointment times
• Fast diagnosis and treatment

When Should You Worry About Your Child’s Feet?

If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to have your child evaluated by a pediatric podiatrist:
✓ Your child complains of foot, heel, or ankle pain that lasts more than a few days
✓ Limping, toe walking, or favoring one foot
✓ Frequent tripping or falling compared to other children
✓ Pain during or after sports and physical activity
✓ Flat feet that cause pain, fatigue, or poor balance
✓ Shoes wearing unevenly or unusually fast
✓ Ingrown toenails, redness, swelling, or infection
✓ Heel pain in active or growing children
✓ Difficulty keeping up with peers during play
✓ Foot or ankle injuries that don’t improve with rest 

Why Early Evaluation Matters

Children’s feet are still developing, and small problems can quickly turn into long-term issues if left untreated. Early, gentle care helps guide healthy growth, relieve discomfort, and prevent future complications—often without invasive treatment.

How to choose a pediatric podiatrist
or a children’s podiatrist?

Check the podiatrists’ credentials.

The podiatrists in foot and ankle clinics have experience with pediatric patients, children’s foot pain and are board-certified.
We have fellowship-trained doctors and double board-certified foot and ankle specialists that can help take care of your child’s feet. These are credentials he can trust.
Her podiatrists are board-certified by the American Board of podiatric medicine and the American Board of foot and ankle surgery.

The right foot doctor training:

Podiatrists are physicians who have gone through a four-year medical college as well as residency training. Our podiatrists have at least three years of residency training and are trained in pediatric foot care and adult foot care.
Generally, your child will not require advanced surgery or hospitalization. Still, it is important to have a podiatrist who is a biomechanical expert and can help with the right shoes and orthotics and ensure no further foot pain.

Pediatrician referral:

It is a great idea to get a pediatrician referral for your pediatric podiatrist. Trust the doctors who know your child to refer you to a great doctor.
They know your child the best in the know exactly what your child may need in most circumstances.

Check the podiatrist’s reviews:

In general, reviews can help see if the doctor offers a friend experience and helps you get the services you need.
We believe our podiatrists are some of the best-reviewed in the area and can do an excellent job taking care of your child’s heel pain, foot pain, and pediatric foot problems.
We offer pediatric orthotics ingrown toenail treatment and more.

Make sure the foot doctor is comfortable with the patient.

We believe that our doctors are some the most friendly in the area. We are biased, so do not just take our word for it; we checked the reviews and referrals.
We believe we can make your child’s visit as pain-free and as enjoyable as possible.

What type of foot problem does your child have?

For example, if there is a signal of ear deformity that may require surgical intervention, at Children’s Hospital may be the recommended option.

But for a general evaluation, orthotics, shoes, ingrown toenails, and bracing.
We also provide office ultrasound and in-office x-ray to ensure that your child’s foot pain has nothing seriously wrong with it.

Research shows that seeing a podiatrist can be beneficial to diagnose a child’s serious foot problems.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

When should my child see a podiatrist?

Your child should see a podiatrist if they have ongoing foot or ankle pain, difficulty walking or running, frequent tripping, toe walking, limping, or foot problems that don’t improve with rest or shoe changes. Early evaluation is especially important during growth stages, as many issues are easier to treat when caught early.

Are flat feet normal in children?

Yes, flat feet are common in young children and often improve as they grow. However, if flat feet cause pain, fatigue, frequent falls, or affect walking, a podiatrist should evaluate them. In some cases, supportive treatment can prevent future discomfort or alignment problems.

Is treatment painful?

Most pediatric foot treatments are gentle and non-invasive. Our goal is always to keep your child comfortable and relaxed. We take extra time to explain each step, use child-friendly techniques, and involve parents throughout the visit to ensure a positive experience.

Do kids need orthotics?

Not all children need orthotics. When recommended, pediatric orthotics are used to support proper foot development, improve balance, and reduce pain—not to restrict growth. A podiatrist will only suggest orthotics if they are truly beneficial for your child’s condition.

Will my child need surgery?

Surgery is rarely needed for pediatric foot conditions. Most issues can be successfully treated with conservative care such as activity modification, stretching, supportive footwear, or orthotics. Surgery is considered only when non-surgical treatments are ineffective and the condition significantly affects your child’s quality of life.

Will my child need surgery?

Surgery is rarely needed for pediatric foot conditions. Most issues can be successfully treated with conservative care such as activity modification, stretching, supportive footwear, or orthotics. Surgery is considered only when non-surgical treatments are ineffective and the condition significantly affects your child’s quality of life.

Get Relief, Improve Balance, Stay Mobile — Starting Today

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Medicare Accepted

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Give Your Child the Best Start With Expert Foot Care

Early care today can prevent pain and problems tomorrow.

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Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Pediatric Foot Care
• Custom Orthotics for Flat Feet

Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available

Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Township. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.

More questions patients ask

What conditions do pediatric podiatrists treat?

Podiatrists treating children manage the full spectrum of pediatric foot and ankle conditions: Sever's disease (heel pain from growth plate), in-toeing and out-toeing gait abnormalities, flat feet (flexible and rigid), high arches (pes cavus), clubfoot post-surgical follow-up, tarsal coalition (abnormal bone fusion causing rigid flat foot), accessory navicular (extra bone causing inner foot pain), juvenile hallux valgus (bunions in children), pediatric ankle sprains, stress fractures in young athletes, plantar warts, ingrown toenails, and congenital foot deformities. Pediatric podiatric evaluation differs from adult care — the developing musculoskeletal system requires age-specific assessment. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208), we provide compassionate pediatric foot care — call (810) 206-1402.

At what age should a child first see a podiatrist?

There is no single required age for a first podiatry visit — children should see a podiatrist when a concern arises. Important developmental milestones to monitor: children typically begin walking at 9–15 months; initial in-toeing, out-toeing, and flat feet are normal in toddlers; walking should be fairly stable and straight by age 3; arch development progresses through age 6. First visits often occur for: persistent flat feet with pain (age 5–8), Sever's disease in active children (age 8–12), sports-related ankle injuries (age 8+), ingrown toenails (any age), and unusual gait patterns. Well-child visits with pediatricians identify gross foot abnormalities, but subtle gait and structural problems benefit from podiatric evaluation. Balance Foot & Ankle sees pediatric patients of all ages — call (810) 206-1402.

Is it normal for kids to complain about foot pain after sports?

Some foot discomfort after intense sports activity is normal. However, these signs warrant podiatric evaluation: pain that persists more than 24–48 hours after activity, pain severe enough to cause limping or limit performance, localized tenderness (especially at the heel, midfoot, or growth plates), swelling after activity, pain that occurs consistently with the same activity, pain severe enough to cause the child to stop activity, or pain affecting both feet symmetrically (possible systemic cause). Heel pain in active children aged 8–15 is the most common complaint and usually indicates Sever's disease. Stress fractures occur in young athletes — especially runners. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208), we evaluate sports-related pediatric foot pain — call (810) 206-1402.

What shoes are best for children's developing feet?

Optimal footwear for children's developing feet: flexible soles (the foot should bend where it naturally bends), wide toe box (toes should have room to spread naturally — children's feet are wider relative to length than adults), secure closure (laces or velcro — avoid slip-ons for toddlers learning to walk), appropriate heel support (small heel cup but not rigid — allows natural motion), lightweight material (heavy shoes alter gait), proper fit (width AND length — many children's shoes are only length-sized). Avoid: rigid flip-flops, hand-me-down shoes (conform to another child's gait), high heels, pointy toe boxes, and 'corrective' shoes without clinical indication. Replace shoes when the child has grown 1/2 size — children's feet grow rapidly. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township provides footwear guidance for pediatric patients — call (810) 206-1402.

How do I know if my child needs special shoes or orthotics?

Signs a child may benefit from therapeutic footwear or orthotics: persistent foot pain during or after activity, excessive fatigue during physical activity compared to peers, significant asymmetry in wear pattern of shoes (rapid wear on one edge), noticeable asymmetry in foot or leg alignment, diagnosis of flat feet with pain, tarsal coalition, accessory navicular, or other structural conditions, and leg pain or knee pain associated with foot problems. Over-the-counter arch supports should be trialed before investing in custom devices. Custom orthotics are recommended when OTC options fail and clinical examination confirms a structural problem. A podiatric evaluation establishes whether the foot concern is clinical or within the range of normal development. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) — call (810) 206-1402.

Still have a question about coverage or cost? Call (810) 206-1402 and we will check your benefits before you come in — or book online: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township