Dr. Matthew Andrews DPM| Balance Foot & Ankle | DPM

The most important principle in foot health is that your feet are the foundation of your entire body's movement system. Pain or dysfunction in the foot changes how you walk, which creates compensatory stress in the ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. This means untreated foot problems rarely stay isolated — they create cascading musculoskeletal issues throughout the body. Early intervention for foot conditions prevents this cascade. Additionally, for diabetic patients, feet are a window into vascular and neurological health — routine podiatric care is one of the most effective preventive measures for avoiding amputation. Balance Foot & Ankle (810) 206-1402 provides comprehensive foot care at offices in Howell and Bloomfield Township.

The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetic patients have a comprehensive foot examination at least once annually, but clinical guidelines for high-risk patients recommend more frequent visits. Patients with peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, or previous foot ulcers should typically be seen every 1–3 months. The routine visit includes: monofilament protective sensation testing, vascular assessment, skin and nail inspection, callus debridement (calluses over pressure points are a leading precursor to ulceration), and patient education. Proactive diabetic foot care dramatically reduces amputation risk — studies show regular podiatric care reduces amputation rates by up to 85%. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to establish diabetic foot care.

The qualities of an excellent podiatrist include: thorough diagnostic skills (accurately identifying the underlying cause, not just treating symptoms), comprehensive approach (considering the whole person and underlying conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and biomechanics), conservative first (exhausting non-surgical options before recommending surgery), excellent communication (clearly explaining diagnosis and treatment options), surgical skill when needed (trained in modern minimally invasive and reconstructive techniques), compassionate patient-centered care, and ongoing education to stay current with evidence-based treatment. Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM, Dr. Carl Jay DPM, and Dr. Daria Gutkin DPM at Balance Foot & Ankle bring these qualities to every patient visit at 4330 E Grand River, Howell and 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township.

Limb salvage refers to the multidisciplinary effort to preserve a threatened limb — most commonly a foot threatened by diabetic complications — instead of proceeding with amputation. The limb salvage team typically includes podiatrists, vascular surgeons, infectious disease specialists, wound care nurses, and endocrinologists. Procedures include: surgical debridement of infected tissue, vascular bypass or angioplasty to restore blood flow, bone resection for osteomyelitis (bone infection), wound coverage with skin grafts or bioengineered tissue, total contact casting to offload wounds, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Balance Foot & Ankle's podiatrists provide comprehensive diabetic wound care and coordinate with vascular specialists for limb salvage in Michigan — call (810) 206-1402.

Yes — pediatric podiatry is a significant part of the specialty. Common childhood foot conditions treated include: in-toeing (pigeon-toed walking), out-toeing, flat feet (especially when symptomatic or causing tripping/pain), toe walking, juvenile bunions, Sever's disease (heel pain in active children from calcaneal apophysitis), ingrown toenails, warts, and congenital foot deformities. Early intervention during growth is particularly effective for certain conditions as foot structure is more malleable during childhood. Custom orthotics can significantly improve alignment during development. Balance Foot & Ankle at 4330 E Grand River, Howell and 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township treats patients of all ages, including children with developmental and structural foot conditions. Call (810) 206-1402.