Foot & Ankle Surgeon Michigan | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgery

Quick answer: Foot Ankle Surgeon 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.

Related Conditions

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

Foot & Ankle Surgeon Michigan

Finding the right foot and ankle surgeon in Michigan is essential for achieving the best possible outcome — whether you need bunion surgery, ankle reconstruction, or complex reconstructive procedures. Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM at Balance Foot & Ankle is board-certified in both foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery, the highest level of podiatric surgical certification available. He performs procedures at multiple Michigan hospitals and surgery centers, serving patients from our Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills locations.

Dr. Biernacki’s Surgical Certifications

• ABFAS Board Certified — Foot Surgery (ABFAS): Certifies expertise in all surgical procedures of the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot
• ABFAS Board Certified — Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery (ABFAS): The highest level of podiatric surgical training, certifying expertise in ankle reconstruction, total ankle replacement, flatfoot reconstruction, Achilles surgery, and complex deformity correction
• Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FACFAS)

Surgical Procedures Performed

Forefoot: Bunion correction (chevron, scarf, Lapidus osteotomy), minimally invasive bunion surgery, hammertoe/mallet toe/claw toe correction, plantar plate repair, sesamoidectomy, Morton’s neuroma excision, bunionette correction, first MTP fusion (hallux rigidus), Weil metatarsal osteotomy, toe amputation.

Midfoot: Lisfranc reconstruction and fusion, navicular fracture fixation, Kidner procedure (accessory navicular), plantar fibroma excision.

Hindfoot & Ankle: Flatfoot reconstruction (calcaneal osteotomy + FDL transfer), Brostrom-Gould ankle ligament reconstruction, ankle arthroscopy, osteochondral lesion repair (microfracture, OATS), Achilles tendon repair and reconstruction, peroneal tendon repair, calcaneal fracture ORIF, ankle fracture ORIF, tarsal coalition resection, subtalar fusion, triple arthrodesis, total ankle replacement, ankle fusion.

Skin & Nail: Nail avulsion, matrixectomy, wart excision, wound débridement, skin grafting.

Surgical Facilities

Dr. Biernacki performs outpatient procedures at ambulatory surgery centers and inpatient procedures at affiliated Michigan hospitals. All surgical procedures are performed with anesthesia support — local, regional (ankle block), sedation, or general anesthesia as appropriate. Your safety and comfort are the top priority.

When Is Surgery the Right Choice?

Dr. Biernacki approaches surgery as a last resort — after comprehensive conservative treatment has been tried. The majority of foot and ankle conditions can be effectively managed without surgery. When surgery is recommended, it is because the evidence shows that surgical intervention provides superior, long-term outcomes that conservative care cannot achieve — and the benefits clearly outweigh the risks for that specific patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule your surgical consultation at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell, Brighton, or Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Dr. Biernacki provides honest, evidence-based surgical recommendations.

Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)

If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

See a podiatrist if: foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2–4 weeks without improvement, you’re changing your gait to avoid pain, you have an open wound or sore that isn’t healing, you notice nail discoloration or thickening, you have diabetes and any foot concern, or pain is severe enough to wake you at night. Most foot conditions are easier and cheaper to treat early — what starts as a minor issue can become a surgical problem with months of delay.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specialize exclusively in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedic surgeons (MD/DO) have broader musculoskeletal training but variable foot/ankle subspecialization. For foot and ankle-specific problems, a podiatrist often has more focused training and experience. For injuries involving the leg above the ankle, complex pediatric cases, or multi-level reconstruction, orthopedic consultation may be appropriate. We frequently co-manage patients with orthopedic colleagues.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Signs that warrant same-day or next-day evaluation: severe pain that appeared suddenly without clear cause, swelling, redness, and warmth that appeared suddenly (possible gout, infection, or Charcot fracture), an open wound that looks infected (redness spreading, pus, warmth), inability to bear weight, or any foot problem in a diabetic patient. Pain that’s been present for weeks and is stable is important but not an emergency — schedule within 1–2 weeks.

Can foot problems cause back and knee pain?

Yes — this is a kinetic chain effect. Abnormal foot mechanics (overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy) cause compensatory changes in knee, hip, and lumbar alignment. Roughly 30% of patients presenting to our clinic with knee pain have a treatable foot-level biomechanical cause. Correcting foot mechanics with orthotics or appropriate footwear often provides significant knee and back relief. If you have chronic knee or back pain and haven’t had your foot mechanics evaluated, it’s worth a consult.

Are orthotics worth it?

For the right conditions, yes — custom orthotics are among the most cost-effective interventions in podiatry. They’re most effective for: plantar fasciitis, flat feet with secondary knee/back pain, leg length discrepancy, metatarsalgia, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and diabetic foot pressure management. Quality OTC orthotics ($35–60) resolve symptoms for 60% of patients with mild-to-moderate conditions. Custom orthotics are appropriate when OTC options have failed or when the biomechanical problem is complex. We cast custom orthotics in-office.

How do I choose the right running shoes?

Start with your foot type (flat, neutral, high arch) and running pattern (overpronator, neutral, supinator). Flat feet and overpronators do best in stability or motion-control shoes. Neutral feet do well in neutral-cushioned shoes. High arches need maximum cushioning with flexible soles. Always buy running shoes at the end of the day (foot swelling peaks then), get properly fitted by a specialist, and replace every 300–500 miles. If you’ve been injured repeatedly, a gait analysis can identify the mechanical flaw driving your injury pattern.

What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

A sprain is a ligament injury (the tissue connecting bones); a fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can occur with the same trauma (ankle roll, fall). The old test — ‘if you can walk, it’s not broken’ — is wrong; many fractures are initially weight-bearable. Key differences: a fracture typically produces localized bone tenderness along the bone itself, while a sprain is tender over the ligament. X-ray is the standard to differentiate. High-grade sprains without proper treatment can be as disabling as fractures.

How do I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

The four most impactful prevention strategies: (1) Supportive, appropriately fitted footwear for your foot type and activity. (2) Gradual activity progression — the 10% rule (never increase weekly mileage or intensity by more than 10%). (3) Regular calf and ankle mobility work. (4) Strengthening the posterior tibial tendon, peroneals, and intrinsic foot muscles. Most overuse injuries are preventable; most acute injuries are not — but ankle sprain recurrence (60–70% without rehab) is prevented by balance and proprioception training.