Quick answer: Foot Ankle Specialist Southeast Michigan is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Editorial Policy
The most important clinical decision with Foot Ankle Specialist Southeast Michigan isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Quick Answer
Foot & Ankle Specialist Southeast Michigan Dr. Biernac relates to foot pain — typically caused by overuse, footwear, or biomechanics. Most patients improve in 6-12 weeks with conservative care. Same-week appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Hills: (810) 206-1402.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.
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When you need a foot and ankle specialist in southeast Michigan, Balance Foot & Ankle with Dr. Tom Biernacki delivers the highest level of podiatric expertise across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions — from common problems like plantar fasciitis and ingrown toenails to complex surgical cases requiring ankle replacement, flatfoot reconstruction, or Achilles tendon repair. With offices throughout the greater Detroit area, we make specialist-level care accessible to patients across southeast Michigan.
What “Specialist” Means at Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Biernacki is not a general practitioner who also treats feet — he is a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon whose medical education, residency training, and entire clinical career have been devoted exclusively to the foot and ankle. This depth of focus means every patient receives the diagnostic precision and treatment sophistication that comes from seeing thousands of foot and ankle cases over an entire career.
His credentials include: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from Des Moines University; 3-year surgical residency in southeast Michigan; board qualification by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in both foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery; and extensive experience with both minimally invasive and traditional open surgical techniques.
Conditions We Specialize In
Balance Foot & Ankle specializes in the full scope of foot and ankle medicine and surgery. Our highest-demand specialties include: Plantar fasciitis and heel pain — including shockwave therapy and PRP for stubborn cases; Bunion correction — including the MICA minimally invasive technique; Diabetic foot care and wound management — limb salvage focused; Ankle instability — Broström-Gould ligament repair; Ankle arthritis — both ankle fusion and total ankle replacement; Flatfoot reconstruction — calcaneal osteotomy, spring ligament repair, lateral column lengthening; Achilles tendon conditions — tendinopathy through complete rupture repair; Sports foot and ankle injuries — including Lisfranc, osteochondral lesions, and stress fractures; and Minimally invasive foot surgery across all applicable conditions.
Southeast Michigan Locations
Balance Foot & Ankle provides specialist-level foot and ankle care at offices in Dearborn, Flat Rock, Monroe, and Taylor — giving patients throughout Wayne County, Monroe County, and surrounding communities convenient access without long-distance travel. Most major Michigan insurance plans are accepted.
Book with Southeast Michigan’s Foot & Ankle Specialist
Call (734) 479-6200 for a same-week appointment with Dr. Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle. New patients always welcome. Second opinions welcomed and encouraged before any surgical procedure.
More Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials
Hoka Clifton 10
Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
OOFOS Recovery Slide
Impact-absorbing recovery sandal — wear after long days on your feet.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a foot and ankle specialist?
A foot and ankle specialist is a physician whose training and practice are devoted exclusively to conditions of the foot and ankle. This includes both podiatric foot and ankle surgeons (DPM) and orthopedic surgeons with foot and ankle fellowship training. A podiatric foot and ankle surgeon like Dr. Biernacki has completed 7 years of post-graduate education and training specifically in foot and ankle medicine and surgery.
Does a foot and ankle specialist treat ankle problems?
Yes. The ankle is explicitly included in the scope of podiatric foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Biernacki treats ankle sprains, ankle fractures, ankle instability, ankle arthritis, ankle replacement and fusion, and all ankle ligament and tendon conditions. The foot and ankle are managed together as an integrated biomechanical unit.
How far do patients travel to see Dr. Biernacki?
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Most patients are from the greater Detroit metropolitan area and Monroe County. Some patients travel from further in Michigan or out of state for complex surgical procedures including ankle replacement, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and complex flatfoot reconstruction. Multiple southeast Michigan office locations make care accessible to the broadest possible patient population.
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Our board-certified podiatrists treat this condition at two convenient locations. Same-day appointments often available.
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, #208
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.
Book Your AppointmentPros & Cons of Conservative Care for foot care
Advantages
- ✓ Conservative care first
- ✓ Same-week appointments
- ✓ Multiple insurance accepted
Considerations
- ✗ Self-treatment can mask issues
- ✗ See a podiatrist if pain >2 weeks
Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for foot care
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we use with patients.
Footnanny Heel Cream Dr. Tom’s Pick
Best for: Daily moisturizer for cracked heels
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-day appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Hills. Most insurance accepted. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM & team.
Book Today — Same-Day Appointments Available
Call Now: (810) 206-1402
About Your Care Team at Balance Foot & Ankle
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Foot & Ankle Surgeon. Specializes in conservative-first care, minimally invasive bunion surgery, and complex reconstruction.
Dr. Carl Jay, DPM · Accepting new patients. Specializes in sports medicine, athletic injuries, and routine podiatric care.
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM, AACFAS · Accepting new patients. Specializes in surgical reconstruction and pediatric podiatry.
Locations: 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 · 43494 Woodward Ave Suite 208, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · (810) 206-1402
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula — apply directly to the area 3–4x daily. ($20–25)
Shop Doctor Hoy’s →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.
Our podiatrists treat the underlying cause, not just the symptom. Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan offices.
Get Expert Care at Balance Foot & Ankle
Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. Board-certified podiatric surgeons. Most insurance accepted.
Ready for Expert Care?
Same-day appointments in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI.
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.