Quick answer: Foot Ankle Ultrasound 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 Ultrasound Michigan isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Quick Answer
Diagnostic Foot & Ankle Ultrasound Michigan Podiatrist 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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Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound has transformed foot and ankle care — allowing real-time, dynamic imaging of tendons, ligaments, nerves, bursae, and soft tissue structures directly in the podiatry office without radiation, contrast, or an MRI wait. At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Tom Biernacki uses high-resolution diagnostic ultrasound for both diagnostic purposes and to guide injection therapy with pinpoint accuracy.
What Foot & Ankle Ultrasound Can See
Tendons — Ultrasound provides excellent visualization of the Achilles tendon, posterior tibial tendon, peroneal tendons, and flexor tendons. Tendon tears (partial and complete), tendinosis (degenerative changes), tenosynovitis (fluid around the tendon), and tendon subluxation are all clearly visible. Dynamic ultrasound allows Dr. Biernacki to move the tendon while imaging, revealing problems that are only apparent with movement.
Plantar fascia — Ultrasound measures plantar fascia thickness (normal <4mm; fasciitis typically >4–5mm) and identifies tears, which appear as disruptions in the normal fibrillar echo pattern. This objectively confirms the plantar fasciitis diagnosis and guides cortisone or PRP injection placement.
Morton’s neuroma — The classic hypoechoic (dark) ovoid mass in the intermetatarsal space is clearly visible on ultrasound, confirming the diagnosis before injection or surgery. Ultrasound can measure neuroma size (larger neuromas have lower response to injection) and guide sclerosing alcohol or cortisone injection directly into the neuroma.
Bursae — Retrocalcaneal bursitis, adventitial bursae over bunions or hammer toes, and intermetatarsal bursae are visualized as fluid collections. Ultrasound-guided bursa aspiration and injection ensures the needle enters the correct compartment.
Plantar plate — Dynamic plantar plate assessment with a Valsalva-type stress maneuver reveals tears not visible on static ultrasound. Dr. Biernacki uses this technique for patients with second toe pain and suspected plantar plate pathology.
Soft tissue masses — Ganglion cysts, lipomas, and other benign masses are characterized on ultrasound. Simple ganglia (fluid-filled, compressible) can often be aspirated under ultrasound guidance.
Ultrasound-Guided Injection Therapy
When accuracy matters — and it always does — ultrasound-guided injection is superior to landmark-based (“blind”) injection. Studies consistently show ultrasound-guided injections achieve significantly higher accuracy rates for joint, tendon sheath, bursa, and neuroma injections. This means more effective treatment, fewer failed injections, and reduced risk of accidental injection into unintended tissues (nerve, tendon, fat pad). Dr. Biernacki uses real-time ultrasound guidance for cortisone injections, PRP injections, hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation), and sclerosing alcohol injections.
In-Office Ultrasound at Balance Foot & Ankle
Because ultrasound is performed right in the examination room by Dr. Biernacki himself — not in a separate facility by a radiologist — you get same-visit diagnostic answers and guided treatment without additional scheduling, travel, or wait time. Call (734) 479-6200 to schedule a hands-on exam plus imaging when needed with ultrasound assessment at our southeast Michigan offices.
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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
Is foot and ankle ultrasound covered by insurance?
Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound is covered by most major insurance plans when medically necessary — i.e., when clinical evaluation warrants imaging. It is typically covered with standard specialist office visit copays or a modest imaging copay. Ultrasound-guided injection procedures have separate coverage that varies by plan. Our team verifies your specific coverage before performing these services.
Is foot ultrasound as good as MRI?
For many foot and ankle conditions, ultrasound is as good as or better than MRI for specific indications — particularly tendon, bursa, and neuroma evaluation. Ultrasound has the added advantage of dynamic (movement) imaging, which is not possible with standard MRI. MRI remains superior for bone marrow abnormalities, cartilage evaluation, ligament detail, and whole-joint assessment. The two modalities are complementary, and the appropriate choice depends on the clinical question.
Does an ultrasound-guided injection hurt more than a regular injection?
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No — the ultrasound probe placed on the skin is completely painless. The injection itself is the same needle as any injection; the difference is the accuracy of placement, not the pain level. Many patients report that ultrasound-guided injections are less painful because accurate placement means the medicine goes exactly where it needs to go, minimizing spread to surrounding sensitive tissues.
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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
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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.
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Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-day appointments in Howell + Bloomfield Hills. Most insurance accepted. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM & team.
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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
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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.
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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.