✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026
Expert Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle
Michigan patients with foot or ankle concerns — whether they involve acute injuries, chronic pain patterns, structural deformities, nail problems, or diabetic complications — can access expert fellowship-trained podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. We serve Livingston County patients from our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River and Oakland County patients from our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208. Same-week new patient appointments are available; we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Medicare Advantage plans. In-office digital X-ray and musculoskeletal ultrasound are available at both locations for same-visit diagnostic imaging. Michigan patients ready for expert foot care can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402.
Big Toe Joint Pain in Michigan: Gout, Arthritis, Sesamoiditis, and Bunions
Michigan patients with big toe joint pain face a differential diagnosis that includes several distinct conditions with different treatments: gout (hyperuricemic crystal arthropathy that causes acute severe pain and requires both acute anti-inflammatory treatment and uric acid management); hallux rigidus (arthritic stiffness and pain at the 1st MTP that ranges from conservative management with rocker-sole shoes and orthotics to cheilectomy or fusion depending on severity); bunions (medial bony prominence from 1st metatarsal deviation requiring orthotics, footwear modification, or surgical correction); and sesamoiditis (plantar 1st MTP pain from sesamoid bone inflammation). At Balance Foot & Ankle, big toe joint pain evaluation uses weight-bearing X-rays and clinical assessment to distinguish these conditions and direct appropriate treatment. Michigan patients with big toe pain can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office.
Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle: Bunion Treatment Options →
Michigan Podiatry for Foot Pain: Getting the Right Diagnosis and Treatment
Michigan patients struggling with ongoing foot pain often find that self-care measures and general advice only go so far without knowing the specific cause. At Balance Foot & Ankle, podiatric evaluation identifies the actual diagnosis — distinguishing plantar fasciitis from Baxter’s nerve entrapment, sesamoiditis from turf toe, hammer toe from claw toe, or metatarsalgia from neuroma — and directs treatment that works for the confirmed diagnosis rather than the most common possible cause. Our fellowship-trained podiatric surgeons provide the full range of conservative and surgical treatment options, and we give honest advice about which approach is most appropriate for each patient’s specific situation. Michigan patients can schedule at Balance Foot & Ankle by calling (810) 206-1402 for our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office — same-week appointments available.
Comprehensive Michigan Foot Care: What to Expect at Balance Foot & Ankle
Michigan patients who choose Balance Foot & Ankle for their podiatric care receive a thorough evaluation that begins with a detailed history of their foot problem — how long it has been present, what makes it better or worse, what treatments have been tried, and how the pain is affecting their daily activity and quality of life. Physical examination includes gait analysis, structural assessment, range of motion testing, neurological screening, and vascular evaluation when indicated. Weight-bearing digital X-rays are obtained at the initial visit when imaging is indicated. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is available for soft tissue characterization. Patients leave their first appointment with a confirmed or strongly suspected diagnosis, a treatment plan, and realistic expectations for recovery. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Medicare Advantage plans. New patients can call (810) 206-1402 to schedule at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills Michigan office.
Schedule Your Michigan Podiatric Appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle
Related Treatment Guides
Michigan patients with any foot or ankle concern are welcome at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our two conveniently located offices — Howell at 4330 E Grand River (serving Livingston County and surrounding areas) and Bloomfield Hills at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Oakland County and northern Metro Detroit) — offer same-week new patient appointments, in-office digital X-ray for same-visit imaging, and the full range of podiatric services from conservative management to surgical correction. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Medicare Advantage plans, and our insurance verification team confirms benefits before every appointment. Fellowship-trained podiatric surgeons are available for both routine and complex cases. Michigan patients ready to schedule can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402.
Medical References & Sources
- American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
- American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions
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📍 Located in Michigan?
Our board-certified podiatrists treat this condition at two convenient locations. Same-day appointments often available.
Big Toe Joint Pain?
Our podiatrists provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for all causes of big toe joint pain including arthritis, bunions, and gout.
Clinical References
- Coughlin MJ, Shurnas PS. Hallux rigidus: grading and long-term results of operative treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85(11):2072-2088.
- Nix S, Smith M, Vicenzino B. Prevalence of hallux valgus in the general population: a systematic review. J Foot Ankle Res. 2010;3:21.
- Dalbeth N, Merriman TR, Stamp LK. Gout. Lancet. 2016;388(10055):2039-2052.
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.
Book Your AppointmentMore 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
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.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist + Amazon Associate. Picks shown are products he prescribes to patients at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All products independently tested + reviewed for 30+ days minimum. Last verified: April 28, 2026.
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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon 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 reached over one million views.