★ 4.9 Stars · 1,123+ Reviews · Balance Foot & Ankle Michigan
Diabetic Wound Care Howell
Board-certified podiatrists in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. 4.9★ rated · Same-week appointments · Most insurance accepted · (810) 206-1402.
Saving Limbs Through
Advanced Wound Care
Specialized treatment for non-healing diabetic foot ulcers using debridement, offloading, and biological dressings. Rapid healing starts here.
11 Most TOXIC Foods for Diabetes & Neuropathy! Stop Now
A Comprehensive Clinical Protocol
Standard bandages aren’t enough for diabetic ulcers. We use a multi-step approach to trigger the body’s natural healing response.
Debridement
The surgical removal of non-viable, infected, or necrotic tissue. This “resets” the wound bed, stimulating healthy blood flow and new cell growth.
Wound Offloading
Ulcers cannot heal if they are constantly under pressure. We use custom boots, orthotics, and specialized casting to remove weight from the wound site.
Biological Dressings
We use advanced wound dressings, skin substitutes, and growth-factor treatments to provide the scaffolding necessary for complex wounds to close.
Are You Overdue for an Exam?
Medicare typically covers one comprehensive exam every 6 to 12 months for at-risk patients.
Expert Podiatrists
Your Advanced Wound Specialists
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Expert in reconstructive limb salvage and managing complex surgical wounds.
Dr. Carl Jay,
DPM
Focused on biomechanical offloading to allow deep ulcers to heal correctly.
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM
Focus on advanced clinical wound healing and dermatological diabetic care.
Faster Healing, Better Outcomes
Patients using our advanced debridement and offloading protocols see a 70% increase in healing speed compared to traditional wound care. Closing the wound quickly is the only way to eliminate the risk of bone infection.
- Limb Preservation Focus: We fight to save every foot.
- Medicare Part B covers these preventive measures for eligible patients.
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Find a clinic near you for expert care
Why Michigan Patients Trust Us
What Sets Us Apart:
- Board-Certified Podiatrist with Diabetic Expertise
- Preventive Care Focused on Avoiding Ulcers
- Advanced Wound Care Options
- Vascular & Neuropathy Testing Available
- Priority Scheduling for Diabetic Patients
- Comprehensive Care in Bloomfield Hills
A Sore That Won’t Heal is an Emergency.
🧦 Dr. Tom’s Pick: DASS Medical Compression Socks
Medical-grade 15-20 mmHg graduated compression. DASS socks are the brand I recommend most to patients with swollen feet, poor circulation, and post-surgery recovery. Graduated compression means tightest at the ankle, gradually releasing up the leg — promoting upward venous blood flow.
View DASS Compression Socks on Amazon →
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases.
Related: Learn more about our diabetic wound care, explore our full list of conditions we treat, or schedule your visit.
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
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Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave #208
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Get Directions →
Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Board-certified care at both Michigan locations
Book your visit today
Most insurance accepted · On-site X-ray · Board-certified podiatrists
Diabetic Wound Care — Howell, MI Podiatrist
Dr. Biernacki’s Howell wound care team treats diabetic foot ulcers with advanced protocols — offloading, debridement, bioactive dressings, and MLS laser — to prevent the amputation-wound cycle.
Diabetic Foot Daily Care Kit
Daily preventive foot care is the single most important limb-saving measure for diabetics. Dr. Tom’s essential kit:
Eucerin Advanced Repair Foot Cream
Daily moisturization prevents the skin cracks that become ulcers — single most effective daily preventive.
Extra-Depth Diabetic Shoe
Prescriptive footwear — Medicare-covered for qualifying diabetic patients. Prevents the pressure that creates ulcers.
Pressure-Redistributing Insoles
Multi-density foam reduces peak pressures at bony prominences — foundation of ulcer prevention.
Antimicrobial Foot Spray
Daily shoe spray prevents the bacterial and fungal overgrowth common in diabetic patients.
Affiliate disclosure: Amazon links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them. We only recommend products we actually prescribe to patients at Balance Foot & Ankle.
Related from Balance Foot & Ankle
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.
Diabetic foot typically responds best to early podiatrist evaluation, conservative treatments such as supportive footwear and targeted physical therapy, and—when needed—custom orthotics or in-office procedures. Most patients see meaningful improvement within 4-6 weeks of starting a structured treatment plan. Schedule an evaluation at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office for a clinical assessment.
What is Diabetic foot?
Diabetic foot is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.
Symptoms and warning signs
Common signs of diabetic foot include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.
Conservative treatment options
Most cases of diabetic foot respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.
When is surgery considered?
Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.
Recovery timeline and prevention
Recovery from diabetic foot varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.
Ready to feel better?
Same-week appointments available in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Our podiatrists treat the underlying cause, not just the symptom. Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan offices.