Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
Diabetic foot care near Brighton reduces amputation risk by up to 85% with regular podiatric monitoring — and the 10-gram monofilament neuropathy test result determines how frequently visits are needed and what preventive footwear is medically necessary. Call (810) 206-1402 — diabetic foot care in Brighton.
Diabetic Foot Care treatment close to Brighton
For Brighton residents with diabetes, annual podiatric foot care is not optional — it’s one of the most evidence-based interventions for preventing amputations, hospitalizations, and wound complications. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell is your closest specialist for comprehensive diabetic foot care, just 20 minutes east on Grand River Ave. We provide Medicare-covered services including annual diabetic foot exams, monofilament sensory testing, and therapeutic shoe fitting.
In our clinic, diabetic foot care goes beyond the annual exam. We manage the full spectrum: routine nail and callus care for patients who can’t safely do it at home due to neuropathy or poor circulation, custom diabetic orthotics and therapeutic footwear (covered by Medicare Part B when medically documented), wound evaluation and treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, and urgent same-day appointments for any new wound, infection, or swelling. Learn about our diabetic foot care program.
Key takeaway: Diabetic foot complications are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in the US. The majority are preventable with proper foot care, protective footwear, and early wound treatment. If you have diabetes and haven’t had a podiatric foot exam in the past year, that changes today.
What to expect at your appointment
Your annual diabetic foot exam at our Howell office includes: monofilament sensory testing (the 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament is the standard screening tool), vibration threshold testing, vascular assessment (pedal pulses, ankle-brachial index when indicated), skin and nail inspection, callus evaluation, and shoe fit assessment. The entire visit typically takes 30–45 minutes.
We also fit therapeutic diabetic footwear in-office. Medicare Part B covers one pair of diabetic shoes and three pairs of inserts per calendar year for qualifying patients (must have diabetes + one of several foot conditions documented by your physician). We handle the documentation and fitting — Brighton patients don’t need to go elsewhere for their Medicare diabetic shoe benefit. Call (810) 206-1402.
⚠️ When to see a podiatrist promptly:
- Any new sore, blister, or wound on your foot — do not wait, call same day
- Increased swelling in one foot or ankle — could indicate Charcot fracture
- Spreading redness from a wound (cellulitis) — urgent evaluation
- Dark or black tissue anywhere on the foot — emergency
Why Balance Foot & Ankle for Brighton patients
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM has treated hundreds of diabetic foot patients across the Livingston County area, from routine annual exams to complex wound management and Charcot reconstruction. His YouTube channel @MichiganFootDoctors has extensive diabetic foot content viewed by thousands of Michigan patients annually.
Our Howell office is equipped for in-office wound care, therapeutic shoe fitting, and 3D custom orthotic scanning. We are in-network with Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Priority Health. Medicare covers the annual diabetic foot exam, therapeutic shoes, and orthotics with proper physician documentation — we make sure you get the full benefit you’re entitled to. 4.9★ | 1,100+ reviews.
Insurance & scheduling for Brighton patients
We accept Medicare and most commercial insurance. From Brighton: take Grand River Ave (M-59) east approximately 20 minutes to 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell MI 48843.
American Diabetes Association: Diabetic Foot Care
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 does diabetic foot care include and why is it so important?
Diabetic foot care involves regular podiatric evaluations, careful nail and callus management, neuropathy and vascular screening, wound surveillance, and patient education to prevent ulcers and serious infections. Elevated blood sugar impairs circulation and nerve function, making even minor injuries dangerous. Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive diabetic foot care in Brighton, MI, protecting patients from complications including hospitalization and amputation.
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.