Dr. Thomas King DPM| Balance Foot & Ankle Michigan | DPM

Podiatrists are specialists in medical and surgical care of the foot, ankle, and related lower extremity conditions. They treat a wide range of conditions including: heel pain and plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains and fractures, bunions and hammer toes, toenail problems (ingrown toenails, fungal infections), diabetic foot care and wound management, flat feet and arch problems, sports injuries, peripheral neuropathy, skin conditions of the feet (warts, corns, calluses, athlete's foot), and pediatric foot conditions. Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients throughout Michigan at offices in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) — call (810) 206-1402.

DPM stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine — the professional degree awarded to podiatrists. The education pathway requires: 4 years of undergraduate pre-medical coursework, 4 years of podiatric medical school (similar curriculum to medical school with focus on foot and ankle), 3-year surgical residency training (comprehensive foot and ankle surgery, wound care, diabetic limb salvage, and general podiatric medicine), and board certification examinations. Podiatrists are licensed as physicians in all US states and can prescribe medications, perform surgery, and manage complex lower extremity conditions. Balance Foot & Ankle's physicians — Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM, Dr. Carl Jay DPM, Dr. Daria Gutkin DPM — provide the full spectrum of podiatric care.

Both can treat foot and ankle conditions, but podiatrists have more specialized training specifically in foot and ankle care. See a podiatrist for: all routine and complex foot/ankle problems, diabetic foot care, nail and skin conditions of the foot, custom orthotics, biomechanical foot issues, sports injuries to the foot and ankle, and most foot surgeries. An orthopedic surgeon may be preferable for: complex ankle reconstruction, tibia/fibula fractures extending above the ankle, or situations requiring hardware that extends significantly above the ankle joint. Many foot and ankle conditions are well within a podiatrist's scope — Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township provides comprehensive foot and ankle care including surgery.

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover medically necessary podiatry services. Covered services typically include: treatment of diabetic foot conditions (covered comprehensively under Medicare), surgical procedures, fracture care, wound care, and most diagnostic visits for foot and ankle conditions. Routine foot care (nail trimming, callus care) may be covered for patients with documented systemic conditions like diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or neuropathy. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans — call (810) 206-1402 or visit our offices at 4330 E Grand River, Howell or 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township to verify your specific coverage.

Preparation for your first podiatry visit: bring your insurance card and photo ID; list all current medications, supplements, and allergies; wear or bring the footwear you typically use (including athletic shoes and work shoes); if you have diabetes, bring your recent HbA1c and blood sugar log; bring any previous X-rays or imaging of the affected area; note when your symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and any treatments you've tried; and wear or bring socks you'd typically wear. If you have leg or foot pain with walking, note the distance or time before pain starts. Balance Foot & Ankle at 4330 E Grand River, Howell and 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township provides thorough evaluations — call (810) 206-1402 to schedule.