Quick answer: Dearborn Podiatrist Foot Doctor Western Wayne County is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. The 2026 evidence-based approach combines proper diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
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Podiatry Care for Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and Western Wayne County
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Western Wayne County — anchored by Dearborn and Dearborn Heights and extending through Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Riverview, and Southgate — is one of Michigan’s most densely populated regions with a diverse and active community. Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive podiatric medicine and surgery for Western Wayne County residents seeking specialist-level foot and ankle care without driving to a major medical center.
Foot and Ankle Services for the Dearborn Community
Our practice treats the complete spectrum of foot and ankle conditions affecting Western Wayne County patients:
Sports and Activity-Related Injuries
Dearborn and the surrounding communities are home to active populations across all age groups — youth athletes at Dearborn’s high-powered athletics programs, adult recreational athletes, and seniors maintaining active lifestyles. We treat ankle sprains, stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, turf toe, and all other sports-related foot and ankle injuries with a return-to-activity focus.
Diabetic Foot Care
Wayne County has significant rates of diabetes, and proper diabetic foot care is critical for preventing amputations and serious complications. Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive diabetic foot exams, early neuropathy assessment, therapeutic footwear evaluation, and wound care for patients managing diabetes. We coordinate closely with primary care physicians and endocrinologists to provide integrated diabetic foot care.
Bunions, Hammertoes, and Structural Foot Problems
Bunions (hallux valgus) and hammertoes are among the most common reasons patients seek podiatric consultation. We provide thorough evaluation of deformity severity and symptom burden, conservative management including padding, orthotics, and appropriate footwear, and surgical correction using modern techniques that optimize alignment and minimize recovery time when surgery is appropriate.
Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, but heel pain has multiple potential causes including nerve entrapment (Baxter’s nerve), heel fat pad atrophy, stress fractures, and referred pain from spinal pathology. Accurate diagnosis guides effective treatment — and we use in-office musculoskeletal ultrasound to visualize plantar fascia and adjacent structures in real time during your appointment.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are painful, can become infected, and recur repeatedly without definitive treatment. We provide permanent surgical correction (matrixectomy) of chronically ingrown toenails as an in-office procedure under local anesthesia, eliminating the problem at its source.
Accessing Care from Dearborn and Western Wayne County
Balance Foot & Ankle’s Bloomfield Hills location is conveniently located for Western Wayne County residents via M-10 (Lodge Freeway) or Telegraph Road. Our Howell location also serves patients who may be traveling westward. We offer prompt appointment scheduling — most new patients are seen within one to two weeks — and our staff works to maximize insurance coverage for all services.
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, Medicare, and most other major plans. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment, or book online through our patient portal.
Why Dearborn-Area Patients Choose Balance Foot & Ankle
Patients from Western Wayne County choose Balance Foot & Ankle because we combine the expertise of a surgical subspecialty practice with the accessibility and personal attention of a community-focused podiatry office. We take the time to explain your diagnosis and treatment options thoroughly, pursue the most conservative effective treatment first, and provide surgical solutions when they’re truly warranted — with a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for every patient.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
📅 Book Online
📞 (810) 206-1402
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
More Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials
Hoka Clifton 10
Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
OOFOS Recovery Slide
Impact-absorbing recovery sandal — wear after long days on your feet.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)
If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist + Amazon Associate. Picks shown are products he prescribes to patients at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All products independently tested + reviewed for 30+ days minimum. Last verified: April 28, 2026.
PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
4.5
(28,341+ reviews)
Dr. Tom’s most-prescribed OTC orthotic. Lateral wedge corrects overpronation that causes 90% of foot pain. Deep heel cradle stabilizes the ankle. Built by podiatrists, used by patients worldwide.
- Lateral wedge corrects pronation
- Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
- Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
- Trim-to-fit any shoe
- Used by 10,000+ podiatrists
- Trim-to-size required
- 5-7 day break-in for some
This single insole eliminates plantar fasciitis pain in 60% of patients within 2 weeks. The lateral wedge is the active ingredient — it stops the overpronation that causes the fascia to overstretch with every step. Pair with a max-cushion shoe for compound effect.
CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
4.4
(4,000+ reviews)
3 arch heights for custom fit (Low/Med/High). Carbon-reinforced heel + dynamic forefoot — the closest OTC orthotic to a $500 custom orthotic. Engineered in Germany.
- 3 arch heights for custom fit
- Carbon-reinforced heel cup
- Dynamic forefoot zone
- Premium German engineering
- Sport-specific support
- Pricier than PowerStep
- 7-10 day break-in
Choose your arch height from a wet-foot test (low/med/high). Wrong arch = re-injury. For runners, athletes, or anyone who failed standard insoles — this is the closest you can get to custom orthotics without paying $500. The carbon heel is what professional athletes use.
Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
4.6
(5,500+ reviews)
Menthol-based natural pain relief — Dr. Tom’s #1 brand for fast relief without greasy residue. Safe for diabetics + daily use. Cleaner formula than Voltaren or Biofreeze.
- Menthol-based natural formula
- No greasy residue
- Safe for diabetics
- Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
- Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze
- Pricier than Biofreeze
- Strong menthol scent at first
Apply to plantar fascia + calves before bed. Combined with stretching, eliminates morning fascia pain. The clean formula means you can use it daily long-term — Voltaren has 30-day limits, Dr. Hoy’s doesn’t.
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula — apply directly to the area 3–4x daily. ($20–25)
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.
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.