Quick answer: A foot & ankle specialist (a podiatrist, DPM) focuses exclusively on conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg — heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, nerve pain, and nail problems. Unlike a general practitioner, it is all we do. Balance Foot & Ankle’s board-certified specialists see patients same-week in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, MI.
Balance Foot & Ankle is a dedicated foot and ankle specialist practice serving Howell, Brighton, Bloomfield Hills, and Southeast Michigan. Our board-certified podiatric physicians diagnose and treat the full range of foot and ankle conditions — from everyday heel pain to complex reconstructive surgery — with same-week appointments and on-site digital X-ray. Call (810) 206-1402 or request your first visit.
What Is a Foot & Ankle Specialist?
A foot and ankle specialist is a physician who focuses exclusively on the lower extremity. Our podiatrists (DPMs) complete years of dedicated foot and ankle training and treat everything from skin and nail problems to fractures, nerve conditions, and surgical reconstruction. Because the foot and ankle are all we do, you get a level of focus a general clinic usually can’t match.
When to See a Foot & Ankle Specialist
It’s worth seeing a specialist when foot or ankle pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, or limits your activity. You should also be evaluated for numbness or tingling, a wound or sore that won’t heal (especially with diabetes), a visibly changing deformity such as a bunion or flat foot, or any injury where you can’t bear weight comfortably.
Conditions We Treat
- Heel pain and plantar fasciitis
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Ingrown toenails and toenail fungus
- Diabetic foot care, neuropathy, and wound care
- Sports injuries, ankle sprains, and fractures
- Flat feet and arch problems
- Morton’s neuroma and nerve pain
- Custom orthotics and bracing
Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle
Our team includes board-certified podiatric physicians led by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS, a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon who has performed more than 3,000 procedures. We take a conservative-first approach — the goal is the least invasive treatment that actually solves the problem — and we hold a 4.9-star rating from over 1,123 Google reviews. With offices in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, expert care is close to home.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Your first appointment includes a thorough exam and, when needed, on-site digital X-rays so we can identify the problem the same day. You’ll leave with a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan explained in plain language. Most new patients are seen within the same week.
Insurance & New Patients
We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, HAP, and Priority Health. See our full insurance information → New patients can complete intake forms online before the first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a foot and ankle specialist the same as a podiatrist?
Yes — a podiatrist (DPM) is a physician who specializes in the foot and ankle. Some patients also see orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons; here’s how the two compare.
How quickly can I be seen?
Most new patients are offered an appointment within the same week. Call (810) 206-1402 and we’ll find the earliest opening.
Do I need a referral?
Most plans let you see a foot and ankle specialist without a referral. Some HMO plans require one — we’ll verify your coverage before your visit.
Should diabetics see a foot specialist?
Yes. Regular foot exams are an important part of diabetes care and help catch problems early, before they become serious.
Book With a Foot & Ankle Specialist
Get answers from a team that treats the foot and ankle all day, every day. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843
Bloomfield Hills: 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
(810) 206-1402