Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment in Bloomfield Township — Coordinated Care with Grunberger

Quick answer: Diabetic neuropathy usually starts as numbness, burning or tingling in the toes. It is also the reason a blister can become an ulcer without ever being felt. We treat it at our Bloomfield Township office. Book online, or call (810) 206-1402.

Related Conditions

Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment in Bloomfield Township — Coordinated Care with Grunberger

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When Your Endocrinologist and Podiatrist Are in the Same Building

What if your diabetes doctor and your foot doctor could communicate directly about your care — in the same building, same visit if needed? At Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Township, that’s exactly the case. Our office at 43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208 shares a building with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute — one of Michigan’s most prestigious diabetes centers, led by Dr. George Grunberger, MD, FACE, FACP, Past President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Call (810) 206-1402.

What This Partnership Means for You

For diabetic patients, this co-location is uniquely valuable: one trip to Woodward Ave addresses both your diabetes management and your foot health. Direct physician-to-physician communication — no faxes and phone tag — means your care teams are aligned. Complex diabetic foot cases benefit from the combined expertise of Dr. Grunberger’s endocrinology team and our podiatry team. New Grunberger patients are often referred to us for their annual diabetic foot exam before leaving the building.

Services for Bloomfield Township Diabetic Patients

Annual diabetic foot exams (Medicare covered), MLS laser neuropathy treatment, custom 3D-scanned orthotics, Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program fitting, diabetic wound care, professional nail care, and home visits throughout Oakland County. Insurance accepted including Medicare, BCBS, Priority Health, HAP, United Healthcare.

Book Your Coordinated Diabetic Foot Appointment

43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302. Call (810) 206-1402.

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.

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.

Diabetic Foot Care Insurance Coverage in Michigan: What Medicare and Private Plans Cover

Michigan diabetic patients often have more insurance coverage for podiatric care than they realize. Medicare covers the annual comprehensive diabetic foot examination for all Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, therapeutic shoe fitting and inserts for qualifying diabetic patients, nail debridement for patients with qualifying systemic conditions (diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy), and treatment of diabetic foot wounds including ulcer care. Most Michigan private insurance plans follow similar coverage patterns for diabetic foot care, though specific coverage details vary by plan. At Balance Foot & Ankle, our insurance verification team confirms your specific coverage before your appointment and explains exactly what will be covered and what your out-of-pocket responsibility will be. There are no insurance surprises at check-in. Michigan diabetic patients who want to understand their coverage before scheduling can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 and speak with our insurance team — we’ll verify your benefits and answer your coverage questions before you decide whether to schedule.

Related Treatment Guides

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

Balance Foot & Ankle serves Michigan diabetic patients throughout Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient locations: Howell at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, and all of Livingston County) and Bloomfield Township at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). New diabetic patients are welcome — call (810) 206-1402 to schedule a hands-on exam plus imaging when needed and begin the preventive podiatric care program that protects your feet for the long term.

Medical References & Sources

• American Diabetes Association — Foot Complications
• PubMed Research — Diabetic Foot Care
• American Podiatric Medical Association — Diabetic Foot

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

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.

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.