Michigan’s Diabetes Foot Care Center — Coordinated Care with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute

Quick answer: Diabetes Foot Care Hub 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.

Related Conditions

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

Michigan’s Most Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Care

Welcome to Balance Foot & Ankle’s Diabetes Foot Care Hub — the most comprehensive resource for diabetic foot health in Michigan. Our Bloomfield Township office is uniquely co-located with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute at 43494 Woodward Ave, one of the Midwest’s most prestigious diabetes centers led by Dr. George Grunberger, MD, FACE, FACP — Past President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. This partnership means your diabetes management and your foot care work seamlessly together. Call (810) 206-1402.

Why Diabetic Foot Care Matters

Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in the United States. Michigan’s diabetes prevalence is above the national average. Every 30 seconds, somewhere in the world, a lower limb is amputated due to a diabetic complication — and most of these amputations are preventable with proper foot care. Annual podiatry exams, proper footwear, neuropathy monitoring, and prompt treatment of foot problems save limbs every day.

Our Partnership with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute

Dr. George Grunberger has published 150+ research articles and led 100+ clinical research studies in diabetes. His institute is co-located with our Bloomfield Township podiatry office — meaning when you need both diabetes management and foot care, you can see both specialists in the same building, with direct communication between your care teams. This integrated model produces dramatically better outcomes for complex diabetic patients.

Diabetic Foot Care Services at Balance Foot & Ankle

Annual and semi-annual diabetic foot exams (Medicare covered), MLS laser therapy for diabetic neuropathy pain, 3D-scanned custom orthotics for pressure redistribution, Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program enrollment and fitting, diabetic wound care including laser-accelerated healing, professional nail care for diabetic patients, home visits throughout Livingston and Oakland Counties, and coordination with endocrinology and vascular surgery partners.

Explore Our Complete Diabetes Foot Care Library

Use the links below to navigate our comprehensive diabetes foot care content — from neuropathy treatment to supplement guidance, diabetic shoe selection, nail care, and wound prevention.

Neuropathy: Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment | Warning Signs | Laser for Neuropathy | Supplements for Neuropathy

Shoes & Footwear: Medicare Diabetic Shoes | Best Men’s Diabetic Shoes | Best Women’s Diabetic Shoes | Diabetic Socks

Daily Care: Daily Care Checklist | Nail Care Guide | Self-Exam Guide

Wound & Infection Care: Infection Warning Signs | Ulcer Treatment | Charcot Foot

Book Your Diabetic Foot Exam

Medicare covers annual diabetic foot exams. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule at our Howell (4330 E Grand River Ave) or Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208 — same building as Grunberger Diabetes Institute) office. Same-week appointments available. Home visits throughout Michigan.

Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Diabetic Program

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan diabetic patients receive a structured foot care program that addresses the full range of diabetes-related foot risks: neuropathy surveillance, vascular assessment, skin and nail care, ulcer prevention and treatment, therapeutic footwear prescription, and patient education on daily foot care habits. Our diabetic foot care program follows the clinical guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons — incorporating annual comprehensive foot examinations for all diabetic patients, more frequent visits for patients with active neuropathy, vascular compromise, or prior ulceration history, and urgent same-day evaluation for diabetic foot wounds that cannot safely wait for a routine appointment.

Related Treatment Guides

• Diabetic Foot Care
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment

The statistics supporting intensive podiatric co-management for diabetic patients are compelling: regular podiatric care reduces the risk of diabetic foot amputation by up to 85% compared to diabetic patients without podiatric surveillance. For the 37 million Americans living with diabetes — including the substantial diabetic population in Livingston and Oakland counties — this preventive impact is the strongest argument for establishing podiatric care before a problem develops. Michigan diabetic patients who have not yet established podiatric care should call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule their first comprehensive diabetic foot examination at our Howell or Bloomfield Township office. We accept Medicare and most Michigan private insurance plans for diabetic foot care services.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your diabetic foot conditions, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-week evaluations and advanced in-office care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is diabetic foot care so important?

Diabetes causes two problems that make foot wounds dangerous: peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage reducing sensation) and peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood flow impairing healing). A small blister or cut that a non-diabetic person would notice and treat can go undetected in a diabetic patient for days, become infected, and progress to osteomyelitis. Diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. A consistent foot care routine and regular podiatry visits prevent most amputations.

How often should diabetic patients see a podiatrist?

Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy should see a podiatrist every 2–3 months for routine nail care and foot inspection. Patients with active foot complications (ulcers, Charcot foot, severe PAD) need more frequent visits — often every 2–4 weeks until stable. Even well-controlled diabetics without neuropathy benefit from annual foot exams. Many amputations we see in consultation could have been prevented with earlier, consistent podiatric care.

What is diabetic peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage from chronically elevated blood sugar, causing numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation — typically starting in the toes and progressing upward in a ‘stocking’ distribution. The dangerous aspect isn’t the pain — it’s the absence of pain. Patients with severe neuropathy don’t feel blisters, cuts, pressure sores, or early infections. A wound can reach bone before it’s noticed. Neuropathy screening with a 10-gram monofilament is part of every diabetic foot exam.

What are the warning signs of a diabetic foot problem?

Seek same-day evaluation for: any open wound or blister that isn’t healing within 1–2 weeks, redness, warmth, or swelling in any part of the foot (possible Charcot fracture or infection), a new blister or callus, any red streaking or warmth spreading up the leg (cellulitis), foot or ankle pain in a diabetic patient with neuropathy (could be Charcot without pain). Don’t wait to see if it improves — diabetic foot infections are medical emergencies.

What is the best foot cream for diabetic feet?

The goal of diabetic foot cream is restoring the skin’s moisture barrier to prevent fissuring and cracking — the entry points for infection. Look for urea-based creams (10–25% urea) or lactic acid formulations that actually penetrate thickened skin rather than sitting on the surface. AmLactin 12%, Eucerin Diabetics’ Dry Skin Relief, and Gold Bond Diabetics’ Dry Skin Relief are clinical-grade options. Avoid cream between the toes — moisture retention between toes promotes maceration and fungal infection.

Can diabetic patients get foot massages?

Light massage is generally safe for diabetic patients without active wounds, severe edema, or PAD. However, deep tissue massage or vigorous rubbing should be avoided — with neuropathy, patients can’t feel if tissue is being damaged. Foot massagers with rollers or intense vibration should be avoided entirely. If you enjoy foot massage, use gentle, light strokes with a diabetic-appropriate foot cream. Let your podiatrist know if you’re incorporating massage into your routine — we can advise based on your circulation status.

What type of socks should diabetic patients wear?

Diabetic socks: seamless (seams can create pressure sores over a neuropathic foot), non-binding at the top (circulation-restrictive socks worsen PAD), moisture-wicking (polyester/wool blend reduces bacterial environment), padded sole (cushions bony prominences). Avoid cotton socks for active patients — cotton retains moisture. Never wear socks with elastic bands that leave marks on the leg. Brands specifically designed for diabetic feet: Thorlos, Wigwam, and most major medical supply brands.

Should diabetic patients cut their own toenails?

It depends on neuropathy severity and vision. Patients with mild neuropathy and good vision can safely trim nails straight across without cutting the corners. Patients with moderate-to-severe neuropathy, poor vision, or thick nails should not self-trim — the risk of cutting the surrounding skin (which they may not feel) is too high. This is exactly what podiatry nail care visits are for. Medicare and most insurance plans cover routine foot care for diabetic patients with documented neuropathy.

What is Charcot foot and how serious is it?

Charcot neuroarthropathy is a serious diabetic complication where neuropathy allows repeated micro-fractures to occur without pain, leading to progressive bone and joint destruction and foot deformity. The classic presentation: a warm, swollen, red foot in a diabetic patient — often mistaken for cellulitis. Early Charcot (caught within weeks of onset) can be managed with a total contact cast to prevent further collapse. Late Charcot with significant arch destruction often requires reconstructive surgery. Missing the diagnosis is catastrophic — a single patient with missed Charcot can progress to a rocker-bottom deformity requiring amputation.

Does insurance cover diabetic foot care?

Medicare Part B covers routine foot care (nail trimming, callus debridement) for diabetic patients with documented peripheral neuropathy — one visit every 2 months. Most PPO and HMO plans follow similar coverage rules. Diabetic shoes and insoles are covered under Medicare’s Therapeutic Shoe Bill (one pair of shoes plus three pairs of custom insoles per year). Call us at (810) 206-1402 and we’ll verify your specific coverage before your first appointment.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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.