★ 4.9 Stars · 1,123+ Reviews · Balance Foot & Ankle Michigan
Foot And Ankle Surgery Howell
Board-certified podiatrists in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. 4.9★ rated · Same-week appointments · Most insurance accepted · (810) 206-1402.
Foot & Ankle Surgery in Howell
Advanced surgical care designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help you move with confidence again.
Is Flat Foot Surgery Worth It
(Recovery Time and Real Results)
Foot & Ankle Injuries
Sudden Trauma
Twisting the ankle, landing awkwardly, or direct impact during sports can stretch or tear ligaments and tendons, leading to sprains, fractures, or instability.
Repetitive Stress
Running, jumping, and high-impact activities place repeated strain on the foot and ankle, increasing the risk of tendonitis, stress fractures, and chronic inflammation.
Biomechanical Imbalance
Flat feet, high arches, or improper footwear can alter weight distribution, placing excessive pressure on certain joints and soft tissues — making injuries more likely.
The Reality Check: Temporary fixes like rest, ice, or pain medication may mask discomfort but do not correct structural problems. Untreated instability or misalignment can worsen over time, leading to chronic pain, tendon degeneration, or joint damage.
Request a Foot Examination Now
Conveniently located for patients in Howell, Michigan.
Quick Facts About Foot & Ankle Surgery
Foot and ankle surgery in Howell with Dr. Tom Biernacki is recommended when conservative care hasn’t relieved pain. Using precise techniques, he corrects bunions, ankle instability, tendon injuries, and fractures to restore alignment, relieve pain, and prevent long-term damage. Recovery is guided with a clear post-operative plan for safe, effective results.
Not Sure If Surgery Is Right for You? Request a Second Opinion.
Before committing to any surgical procedure, you deserve a fresh, independent evaluation. Dr. Tom Biernacki and Dr. Carl Jay offer comprehensive second opinion consultations — reviewing your imaging, treatment history, and symptoms to make sure surgery is truly the right path forward.
Many patients who come to us for a second opinion discover conservative treatment options they haven’t tried yet.
- Fresh expert eyes on your X-rays and imaging
- Conservative alternatives reviewed if surgery isn’t necessary
- Surgical plan optimization if surgery is the right choice
- Same-week appointments often available
Frequently Asked Questions
Our board-certified podiatric surgeons perform a many foot and ankle procedures at our Howell-area surgical facility, including bunion correction, hammertoe repair, Achilles tendon repair, ankle ligament reconstruction, neuroma excision, flatfoot reconstruction, and fracture repair. All surgical options are thoroughly explained with realistic expectations before any decision is made.
The vast majority of foot and ankle conditions are successfully managed without surgery. Our Howell podiatrists always explore conservative options first and only recommend surgery when it offers a clear benefit that cannot be achieved non-surgically, or when the patient has failed appropriate non-surgical care. A second opinion is always welcome if you have concerns.
Recovery depends entirely on which procedure is performed. Simple procedures like neuroma excision may allow return to normal activities in 2-4 weeks. Reconstructive procedures may require 3-6 months. We provide detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions, and our Howell team is available for questions throughout your recovery.
👟 Dr. Tom’s Pick: CURREX RunPro Insoles for Runners
CURREX RunPro are biomechanically tuned running insoles with 3 arch profiles (low, medium, high) to match your foot type. Unlike generic insoles, they’re engineered specifically for the high-impact demands of running — reducing pronation stress and metatarsal loading.
View CURREX RunPro on Amazon →
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases.
Related: Learn more about our foot and ankle surgery, 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 →
Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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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
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Most insurance accepted · On-site X-ray · Board-certified podiatrists
Foot & Ankle Surgery — Howell, MI Podiatric Surgeon
Dr. Biernacki performs advanced foot and ankle surgery at our Howell, Michigan location — from minimally invasive procedures to complex reconstructive surgery — with same-day surgical consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foot and ankle surgeries are performed at the Howell location?
Dr. Biernacki performs: Lapiplasty® bunion correction, hammertoe repair, plantar fascia release, neuroma excision, ingrown toenail matrixectomy, heel spur removal, ORIF fracture repair, tarsal tunnel release, and tendon repair procedures. Complex reconstructive cases are performed at our partnered surgical center.
How do I get a surgical consultation in Howell?
Call (810) 206-1402 — surgical consultations are typically available within one week. Your consultation includes: clinical examination, weight-bearing X-rays, discussion of all surgical and non-surgical options, expected recovery timeline, and insurance verification for your specific procedure. We never pressure surgery — most patients exhaust conservative treatment first.
Watch: Foot & Ankle Surgery in Howell, Michigan
Dr. Tom on Howell foot/ankle surgery — bunions, hammertoes, ankle stabilization, fracture repair, MIS options, Livingston County scheduling.
Foot Surgery Recovery Kit
Plan ahead for post-op. Dr. Tom’s kit:
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. This supports our free patient education content.
Protected ambulation post-op.
Day 1-14 swelling control (critical).
Return-to-shoe phase.
Topical pain adjunct.
Related: Bunion Surgery · Hammertoe Surgery · Book Pre-Op Consultation
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.
Foot pain 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 Foot pain?
Foot pain 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 foot pain 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 foot pain 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 foot pain 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.