Foot Doctor Serving Dexter, Chelsea & Washtenaw County, Michigan

If you live in Dexter, Chelsea, or the broader Washtenaw County area and are searching for a podiatrist, you have options — but not all foot care is created equal. At Balance Foot & Ankle, Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM has served patients from across Southeast Michigan for over a decade, combining board-certified podiatric surgery with the kind of individualized attention that larger health systems often cannot provide. This page answers the questions we hear most from Washtenaw County patients considering our practice.

How Far Is Balance Foot & Ankle from Dexter and Chelsea?

Our Howell, Michigan office is approximately 28–32 miles from downtown Dexter — roughly a 25–30 minute drive east on I-96. From Chelsea, the drive is similar at approximately 30 miles, primarily via I-96. Many of our Washtenaw County patients find this travel time significantly shorter than the wait time for a new patient appointment at Ann Arbor academic medical centers, and the appointment itself is unhurried — we typically see patients for 30–45 minutes for an initial visit rather than 10–15 minutes.

We also have a Bloomfield Hills location, which may be more convenient for patients in eastern Washtenaw County or those combining the visit with other Metro Detroit errands.

What Conditions Do We Treat?

Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive podiatric care for patients of all ages. Conditions we see from Washtenaw County patients include:

• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain: The most common reason patients visit us. We offer same-day custom orthotic impressions, shockwave therapy (ESWT), corticosteroid injection, and surgical consultation for refractory cases.
• Bunions (hallux valgus): Conservative management with orthotics and footwear modification, and when necessary, modern surgical correction including minimally invasive techniques.
• Diabetic foot care: Comprehensive diabetic foot exams, neuropathy screening, wound care, nail and skin care, and custom diabetic footwear with Medicare coverage assistance.
• Ingrown toenails: Same-day in-office removal and permanent correction procedures (matrixectomy). No referral needed.
• Achilles tendinopathy: Conservative treatment through eccentric strengthening protocols, orthotics, and shockwave therapy; surgical options for recalcitrant cases.
• Ankle sprains and instability: Acute management, bracing, and reconstruction for chronic lateral ankle instability.
• Neuromas and nerve pain: Morton’s neuroma diagnosis and treatment via alcohol sclerosing injections, conservative management, and surgical resection when indicated.
• Hammertoes and lesser toe deformities: Both conservative (splinting, padding, footwear modification) and surgical correction.
• Pediatric foot conditions: Sever’s disease, flat feet evaluation and orthotic management, and in-toeing/out-toeing assessment.
• Nail fungus (onychomycosis): Oral antifungal management, topical agents, and laser treatment options.

About Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Biernacki is a board-certified podiatric surgeon with over a decade of experience in Southeast Michigan. He completed his podiatric medical degree and surgical residency training before establishing Balance Foot & Ankle, which has grown to serve patients across Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. He has performed over 3,000 surgical procedures and maintains a 4.9-star patient rating across over 1,100 reviews.

In our clinic, we value a direct, evidence-based approach — we tell patients what the research says, what our clinical experience suggests, and what the realistic treatment timeline looks like. We do not recommend surgery unless conservative care has genuinely been exhausted. And when surgery is appropriate, we use the least invasive technique that achieves the goal.

Insurance and Payment

We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBS), Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Care Network, Priority Health, Medicare, and Medicaid. We verify insurance before your appointment and provide a clear estimate of any out-of-pocket costs so there are no surprises.

For uninsured patients or services not covered by insurance, we offer transparent pricing and payment plan options. Custom orthotics are frequently covered when prescribed for documented diagnoses including plantar fasciitis, diabetic neuropathy, or tendinopathy.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

New patient visits at Balance Foot & Ankle typically run 30–45 minutes. During your initial appointment, Dr. Biernacki will take a detailed history, perform a comprehensive foot and ankle examination including gait analysis, order any necessary imaging (digital X-ray is on-site), and develop a treatment plan with you. You will leave with a clear diagnosis, a realistic prognosis, and a specific action plan — not a referral to another specialist and a three-month wait.

Many same-day procedures — including ingrown toenail removal, corn and callus debridement, diabetic foot nail care, and corticosteroid injections — can be performed at the first visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist in Michigan?
Most insurance plans do not require a referral to see a podiatrist. You can self-refer and schedule directly with our office. We will verify your specific plan’s requirements when you call.

How quickly can I get an appointment?
We offer same-day and next-day appointments for new patients in most cases. For urgent conditions (infected ingrown nail, diabetic wound, acute fracture), we make every effort to see you the same day you call.

Do you treat children as well as adults?
Yes. Dr. Biernacki treats patients of all ages, including pediatric patients with Sever’s disease, flat foot concerns, and in-toeing. Pediatric patients receive age-appropriate explanations and treatment plans designed around growth stage and activity level.

Is parking available at both offices?
Yes. Both our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices have dedicated, accessible parking directly adjacent to the building. The offices are both fully ADA accessible.

The Bottom Line

Washtenaw County residents have access to exceptional podiatric care without a long drive to a major academic medical center or a multi-month wait for a new patient appointment. Balance Foot & Ankle combines board-certified surgical expertise with the efficiency and personal attention of a dedicated podiatric practice. If you are in Dexter, Chelsea, or anywhere in Washtenaw County — we are closer than you think, and we can likely see you this week.