Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Custom orthotics near Farmington Hills are fabricated from a 3D scan of your individual foot — and the shell material (rigid vs. semi-rigid vs. soft) is selected based on your specific condition, not preference. The wrong material for your diagnosis can worsen symptoms rather than help them. Call (810) 206-1402 — custom orthotic evaluation in Farmington Hills.
Custom Orthotics close to Farmington Hills
Farmington Hills residents needing prescription custom orthotics have a close specialist option at Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills — 15 minutes east on Orchard Lake Rd. Custom orthotics are prescription devices fabricated from a 3D digital scan of your foot to correct the specific biomechanical problem driving your pain. Overpronation causing plantar fasciitis, forefoot overload causing metatarsalgia, rearfoot instability driving Achilles problems — each has a different orthotic prescription.
We prescribe custom orthotics for: plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, Achilles tendinopathy, adult flat foot, bunion management, hallux rigidus, and diabetic protective offloading. Most PPO insurers cover custom orthotics when medically necessary with proper documentation — we handle the prior authorization and billing. Medicare covers diabetic custom insoles (A5512) under Part B with qualifying conditions. See our custom orthotics process.
Key takeaway: Custom orthotics address the mechanical cause of pain — not just the symptom. For Farmington Hills patients who’ve tried multiple OTC insoles without lasting relief, the issue is usually that OTC insoles provide generic cushioning while your problem is a specific biomechanical fault that only a custom prescription can correct.
What to expect at your appointment
Consultation includes full biomechanical exam (subtalar neutral, forefoot alignment, first ray mobility, arch flexibility, gait analysis) and 3D digital foot scan in the corrected position. Prescription is designed based on your diagnosis, foot type, and activity level.
Orthotics ready in 1–2 weeks. Break-in schedule provided. Follow-up adjustment visit included. Same-day consultations available for Farmington Hills patients — call (810) 206-1402.
⚠️ When to see a podiatrist promptly:
- New pain from orthotics in first weeks — call for adjustment (expected, not a defect)
- No improvement after 6 weeks of correct use
- Skin irritation from orthotics in diabetic patients — same-day call
- Sharp localized pain — rule out stress fracture before orthotic prescription
Why Balance Foot & Ankle for Farmington Hills patients
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM prescribes custom orthotics using in-house 3D digital scanning at our Bloomfield Hills office. Farmington Hills patients drive 15 minutes and get a full biomechanical exam, scan, and prescription in one visit.
We accept most commercial insurance and Medicare Part B. All documentation and billing handled in-office. 4.9★ | 1,100+ reviews.
Insurance & scheduling for Farmington Hills patients
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, and Medicare. From Farmington Hills: Orchard Lake Rd east to 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Hills MI 48302.
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
Doctor Answer
What are custom orthotics and how do they differ from store-bought insoles?
Custom orthotics are prescription medical devices crafted from a precise mold of a patient’s feet to correct biomechanical imbalances, redistribute pressure, and relieve pain from conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and heel spurs. Unlike over-the-counter insoles, custom orthotics are tailored to each individual’s unique foot structure and gait. Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle prescribes and fits custom orthotics in Farmington Hills, MI, providing lasting relief that generic insoles simply cannot match.
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.