Foot Doctor Near Me: Howell MI 2026 | DPM

What Does a Podiatrist (Foot Doctor) Treat?

A podiatrist (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine — DPM) is a foot and ankle specialist with comprehensive medical and surgical training in conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They complete 4 years of podiatric medical school plus a 3-year surgical residency, equivalent to MD physicians.

Common conditions podiatrists treat:

Routine foot care: Ingrown toenails, calluses, corns, fungal nails, plantar warts, athletes foot, foot odor.

Pain conditions: Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, posterior tibial tendinopathy, peroneal tendinopathy, bone spurs, neuromas, metatarsalgia.

Deformities: Bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, high arches, foot drop.

Sports injuries: Ankle sprains, stress fractures, turf toe, sesamoiditis, runners injuries.

Trauma: Broken toes, fractures, soft tissue injuries.

Diabetic foot care: Foot ulcers, neuropathy management, prevention of amputation, diabetic shoes.

Surgical procedures: Bunion surgery (including Lapiplasty), hammertoe correction, foot reconstruction, ankle arthroscopy, tendon repair, total ankle replacement (advanced).

Pediatric: Sever’s disease, in-toeing, juvenile bunions, congenital foot deformities.

Podiatrist Credentials Decoded (DPM, ABFAS, FACFAS)

DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine): The fundamental degree. All podiatrists have this. Requires 4 years of podiatric medical school after college plus 3 years of residency.

ABFAS (American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery): The most prestigious surgical certification for podiatrists. Requires passing both written and oral examinations plus documented surgical case logs. Two levels: ABFAS Foot certification and the more advanced ABFAS Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle (RRA) certification.

FACFAS (Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons): Indicates membership in the professional society plus surgical training. Important for any patient needing surgery.

Other relevant certifications: AAWC (American Association of Wound Care) for diabetic wound specialists; AOFAS membership (orthopedic-podiatric collaborative society); subspecialty fellowships (sports medicine, diabetic foot, pediatric).

Looking up credentials: The American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPMed) and ABFAS have public registries. State licensing boards confirm active license status. NPI (National Provider Identifier) lookup at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov shows credentials and addresses.

How to Choose the Right Podiatrist for Your Need

For routine care (calluses, fungal nails, ingrown nails): Any board-certified podiatrist will do. Choose based on convenience (location, hours), insurance acceptance, and patient reviews.

For surgical needs: Look for ABFAS or FACFAS credentials. Ask: “How many of THIS specific procedure do you do per year?” Volume matters — surgeons who do 20+ of a specific procedure annually have better outcomes.

For sports medicine: Look for podiatrists who treat collegiate or professional athletes. Some offer gait analysis, custom orthotics, and connections to physical therapy networks.

For diabetic foot care: Look for ABFAS plus AAWC certification. Confirm same-week (preferably same-day) availability for urgent diabetic foot concerns.

For pediatric: Confirm experience with children — ask “do you treat patients under 18?” Some podiatrists prefer adult-only practice.

Red flags to avoid: Recommending surgery without trying conservative care first; refusing to provide written surgical plans or expected outcomes; pressuring you to decide same-day; lack of credentials posted publicly; numerous patient complaints with state licensing board.

What to Expect at Your First Podiatry Visit

Before the visit: Make a list of your symptoms (when they started, what makes them better/worse). Bring a list of current medications and any prior imaging (X-rays, MRIs). Bring the shoes you usually wear (helpful for biomechanical assessment).

The visit (typically 30-45 minutes for a new patient): Detailed history-taking; focused physical exam (palpation, range of motion, gait observation); possible imaging (X-rays in office); diagnosis and treatment plan; written prescriptions or orders for orthotics, PT, etc.

After the visit: Follow the prescribed treatment plan. Schedule follow-up as recommended (typically 4-6 weeks). Contact the office immediately for: worsening symptoms, signs of infection, severe pain, or any concerning changes.

Insurance: Most podiatry visits are covered by health insurance. Routine “wellness” foot care for healthy patients (without diabetes or PAD) may not be covered. Always verify coverage before scheduling for non-urgent visits.

Same-Week Appointments Matter

Many podiatry offices are booked weeks out. For urgent foot problems (suspected fracture, diabetic ulcer, severe pain), same-week appointment availability matters significantly.

Conditions that need same-week evaluation: Any new diabetic foot problem (cut, blister, redness, callus growth); suspected fracture; severe pain affecting mobility; spreading redness or signs of infection; sudden swelling without injury; persistent pain >2 weeks despite home care.

How to find same-week availability: Call the office and ask directly. Many offices reserve “urgent” slots. Patient portals often have last-minute openings. Cancellation lists work well in some practices.

At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township MI, we maintain same-week (and often same-day) availability for new patients with urgent concerns. Call (810) 206-1402.

Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle (Howell + Bloomfield Township MI)

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS: Board-certified podiatric foot surgeon with 950K+ YouTube subscribers (the most-followed podiatrist on social media). Trained in advanced surgical techniques including Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction and minimally invasive procedures.

1,123+ five-star reviews: Real patient feedback documenting consistently excellent care.

Same-week appointments: Available at both Howell (4330 E Grand River Ave) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208) locations.

Insurance accepted: Most major insurance including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Medicaid, and most other Michigan plans.

Comprehensive services: Routine podiatric care, advanced wound care, diabetic foot management, sports medicine, surgical correction (bunions, hammertoes, etc.), in-office X-ray and ultrasound, custom orthotics, ESWT (SoftWave) therapy, and MLS laser for neuropathy.

Patient-first approach: Conservative care exhausted before recommending surgery; written treatment plans; transparent pricing; second-opinion welcome.

Schedule: Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foot Doctor Near Me

What does a podiatrist treat?

Foot and ankle conditions including: ingrown nails, calluses, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, ankle sprains, fractures, diabetic foot care, neuromas, and surgical correction.

Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?

Most insurance plans don’t require a referral for podiatry. Some HMO plans do. Always verify with your insurance before scheduling.

What’s the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPMs) specialize exclusively in foot and ankle. Orthopedic surgeons (MDs) treat the entire musculoskeletal system; foot/ankle is a subspecialty for some. For most foot/ankle conditions, both can provide excellent care.

How much does a podiatrist visit cost?

With insurance: typically $20-50 copay. Without insurance: $150-300 for new patient visit; $75-150 for follow-ups. At Balance Foot & Ankle our own self-pay rate is a flat $250 all-in first visit — exam, X-rays and same-day treatment — with $100 follow-ups. Always verify coverage and get an estimate before scheduling.

Should I see a podiatrist or my primary care doctor for foot pain?

Primary care can handle simple issues (athletes foot, mild plantar fasciitis). Podiatry is better for: persistent pain, suspected fracture, diabetic foot problems, anything requiring surgery, or anything needing specialized treatment.

Are podiatrists real doctors?

Yes — podiatrists complete 4 years of medical school (podiatric) plus 3 years of residency. They diagnose, prescribe, perform surgery, and order imaging like other doctors. The DPM degree is recognized by Medicare and all major insurance plans.

Can a podiatrist do surgery?

Yes — podiatrists with ABFAS certification perform foot and ankle surgery including bunions, hammertoes, fractures, tendon repairs, ankle arthroscopy, and reconstruction. Some perform total ankle replacement (advanced training required).

Related Resources from Balance Foot & Ankle

• Dr. Tom Biernacki – About
• Howell MI Podiatrist Office
• Bloomfield Township MI Podiatrist Office
• Insurance & Costs
• Your First Visit
• Schedule New Patient Appointment
• Medical Pedicure (Medi-Pedi) With a Podiatrist
• In-Home Podiatry Visits for Seniors

American Podiatric Medical Association: Find a Podiatrist

Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available

Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Township. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.