Dr. Jake Mechlowitz DPM 2026 | Balance Foot & Ankle Michigan

The most common conditions treated at podiatry practices include: plantar fasciitis (heel pain — the most common foot complaint), ankle sprains and instability, toenail fungus, ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, diabetic foot care, flat feet, Morton's neuroma, Achilles tendinitis, metatarsalgia, warts, corns and calluses, stress fractures, and peripheral neuropathy. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we also manage complex wound care, perform all types of foot and ankle surgery, and provide comprehensive conservative care. Our offices in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) are accessible — call (810) 206-1402.

Yes — sports medicine is a significant component of podiatric practice. Podiatrists treat sports-related foot and ankle injuries including: ankle sprains (acute and chronic instability), Achilles tendinopathy and ruptures, stress fractures (metatarsal, navicular, calcaneal), plantar fasciitis and heel pain, turf toe (first MTP joint sprains), peroneal tendon injuries, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, sesamoiditis, and foot compartment syndrome. In addition to treating acute injuries, podiatrists provide biomechanical analysis to identify movement patterns causing recurrent injuries and prescribe orthotics and exercise programs for return to sport. Balance Foot & Ankle provides sports podiatry services to athletes of all levels in Howell and Bloomfield Township.

Both can perform foot surgery, but their training paths differ. Podiatrists (DPM) have 4 years of podiatric school plus a 3-year residency specifically focused on foot and ankle — their entire scope of practice is the foot and ankle. Orthopedic surgeons (MD or DO) complete 5-year orthopedic residencies covering the entire musculoskeletal system, with foot and ankle as one subspecialty; those with foot and ankle fellowships have additional specialized training. For most common foot surgeries (bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, plantar fasciitis release, ankle arthroscopy), a well-trained podiatrist provides expertise equal to an orthopedic surgeon. Complex ankle reconstruction or combined lower limb procedures may involve orthopedic collaboration. Balance Foot & Ankle's surgeons provide comprehensive foot and ankle surgical care.

Finding a qualified podiatrist in Michigan: check ABPM (American Board of Podiatric Medicine) or ABPS (American Board of Podiatric Surgery) board certification; look for fellowship training in areas relevant to your needs (wound care, sports medicine, limb salvage); ask about experience with your specific condition; check reviews on Google, Healthgrades, or Zocdoc; verify insurance acceptance; and look for someone who takes time to explain options. Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township has served Michigan patients for years. Our team — Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM, Dr. Carl Jay DPM, Dr. Daria Gutkin DPM — provides comprehensive foot and ankle care. Call (810) 206-1402 or visit 4330 E Grand River, Howell or 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township.

Yes — podiatrists treat the entire foot AND ankle (and often the lower leg up to the knee in many states). Ankle conditions commonly treated include: ankle sprains (acute and chronic), Achilles tendinitis and rupture, ankle fractures (bimalleolar, trimalleolar, lateral malleolus), posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, peroneal tendon tears, ankle impingement, arthritis of the ankle joint, ankle instability requiring ligament reconstruction, and ankle arthroscopy. Balance Foot & Ankle's podiatrists provide both non-surgical management and surgical correction for ankle conditions. Our offices at 4330 E Grand River, Howell and 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township have on-site X-ray and diagnostic ultrasound for comprehensive ankle evaluation.