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

The Diabetic Patient’s Complete Guide to Foot Health — Everything in One Place

The Most Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Care Guide for Michigan Patients

If you have diabetes, your feet are your most vulnerable asset. This guide covers everything you need to know — from daily care to supplements to shoes to treatments — all in one place. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, we’ve built Michigan’s most comprehensive diabetic foot care program around these principles. Call (810) 206-1402. Our Bloomfield Hills office shares a building with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute for coordinated diabetic care.

Section 1: Understanding the Risk

Diabetes causes foot complications through two main pathways: peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage reducing sensation) and peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood flow). Together, they create feet that can’t feel injury and can’t heal it efficiently. The result: a wound that would heal in days for a non-diabetic can become limb-threatening in a diabetic. Michigan’s above-average diabetes rate means thousands of local patients face this risk daily.

Section 2: Your Daily Foot Care Routine

Inspect both feet daily using a mirror for the sole. Wash in lukewarm water, dry completely especially between toes. Apply urea-based cream to heels (not between toes). Change into clean diabetic socks. Check inside shoes before wearing. See our complete diabetic foot care routine.

Section 3: Choosing the Right Shoes

Extra depth, wide toe box, seamless interior, removable insole, stable sole. Never wear pointed-toe shoes, high heels, or flip-flops. Medicare Therapeutic Shoes are covered annually for qualifying patients. See our complete guide to Medicare diabetic shoes.

Section 4: Supplements That Support Foot Health

Alpha-lipoic acid (Nutricost ALA 600mg), B-Complex with methyl-B12 (especially for Metformin users), Vitamin D3 (critical for Michigan residents), Magnesium Glycinate, Fish Oil. See our complete diabetic supplement guide.

Section 5: Nail & Skin Care

Trim straight across, never too short. Moisturize daily with urea cream. See a podiatrist for nail care if you have neuropathy or poor vision. Professional nail care may be Medicare-covered.

Section 6: When to Call Us Immediately

Any skin break, wound, or infection. Any sudden warmth and swelling in one foot (possible Charcot). Any redness spreading from a wound. Any black discoloration. Any new numbness, burning, or tingling. Call (810) 206-1402 same day — don’t wait.

Section 7: Our Treatments

MLS laser therapy for neuropathy pain and wound healing. 3D custom orthotics for pressure redistribution. Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program. Professional nail and wound care. Home visits throughout Livingston and Oakland Counties.

Section 8: The Grunberger Diabetes Institute Partnership

Our Bloomfield Hills office shares a building with the Grunberger Diabetes Institute — Dr. George Grunberger’s nationally recognized diabetes center. For Oakland County patients, this means your endocrinologist and your podiatrist are steps apart, creating coordinated care unavailable at virtually any other Michigan practice.

Section 9: Insurance & Medicare

Medicare covers annual foot exams, Medicare Therapeutic Shoes (annually), custom orthotics, and home visits for qualifying patients. We verify all benefits before your appointment. Most major Michigan insurance plans accepted.

Book Your Appointment

Call (810) 206-1402 or book online at michiganfootdoctors.com. Howell (serving Livingston County) and Bloomfield Hills (serving Oakland County). Same-day appointments for diabetic foot emergencies. Home visits available throughout southeastern Michigan.

Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.

Related Treatment Guides

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

We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.

Medical References & Sources

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

Clinical References

1. Armstrong DG, Boulton AJM, Bus SA. Diabetic foot ulcers and their recurrence. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(24):2367-2375.
2. Bus SA, Lavery LA, Monteiro-Soares M, et al. Guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2019 update). Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2020;36(S1):e3269.
3. Singh N, Armstrong DG, Lipsky BA. Preventing foot ulcers in patients with diabetes. JAMA. 2005;293(2):217-228.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon 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 reached over one million views.