Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
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Soccer and Foot Health in Michigan
Soccer is one of Michigan’s most popular youth and adult sports, with robust recreational, travel, and high school programs throughout Livingston and Oakland Counties. The sport’s demands — explosive direction changes, running on varied surfaces, contact play, and cleat-induced force transmission — create a predictable set of foot and ankle injuries across the season. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, Michigan, we provide soccer-specific podiatric care from youth to adult players.
Cleat Selection and Foot Health
Soccer cleat selection significantly affects injury risk and performance. Firm ground (FG) cleats with molded studs are appropriate for most outdoor surfaces; soft ground (SG) cleats with screw-in studs are used on wet, muddy fields. Artificial turf (AG) cleats with shorter, more numerous studs are essential on artificial surfaces — using FG cleats on turf dramatically increases foot pain and injury risk. Ensuring cleats fit appropriately in the toe box (sufficient length and width for the foot during play) prevents nail trauma and forefoot compression injuries.
Ankle Sprains: Prevention and Management
Lateral ankle sprains are the most common soccer injury — particularly on uneven natural grass surfaces and during player contact. Ankle strengthening exercises (peroneal strengthening, proprioceptive training on unstable surfaces) and lace-up functional ankle braces during play reduce sprain risk. Any ankle sprain that causes significant swelling, inability to weight-bear, or medial (inner) ankle pain warrants X-ray evaluation to exclude fracture.
Turf Toe and Sesamoid Injuries
The hyperextension forces of explosive push-off on turf surfaces cause turf toe — forced dorsiflexion injury of the first MTP joint. Artificial turf increases turf toe risk because the harder surface provides less give under the planting foot. Carbon fiber orthotic plates that resist first MTP dorsiflexion are the standard management for turf toe and sesamoid conditions in soccer players.
Fifth Metatarsal Fractures
The fifth metatarsal (outer midfoot bone) is particularly vulnerable in soccer from two mechanisms: acute inversion ankle sprains can avulse the base of the fifth metatarsal through peroneus brevis pull, and repetitive cutting and planting creates stress fracture risk at the fifth metatarsal shaft (Jones fracture location). Fifth metatarsal pain after an ankle inversion injury or repetitive planting requires X-ray evaluation — Jones fractures are notoriously prone to non-union if inadequately treated. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 for any soccer-related foot or ankle injury evaluation.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
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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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Same-week appointments available at both locations.
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Podiatrist-recommended products
As an Amazon Associate, Dr. Tom earns from qualifying purchases.
Arch support for soccer cleats.
View on Amazon →Ball-of-foot cushioning in cleats.
View on Amazon →Post-match cold therapy.
View on Amazon →Menthol topical for match recovery.
View on Amazon →Related resources
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Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills · 4.9★ (1,123+ reviews)
☎ (810) 206-1402Book Online →More Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials
Hoka Clifton 10
Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
PowerStep Pinnacle Insole
- The Pinnacle Full length insoles for men & women provide maximum cushioning, from high activity to moderate support. The PowerStep arch support shape provides stability to the foot and ankle, helping to relieve foot pain.
- When you spend all day on your feet, every step counts. PowerStep insoles are a podiatrist-recommended orthotic to help relieve & prevent foot pain related to athletes, runners, Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs & other common foot, ankle & knee injuries
- The Pinnacle plantar fasciitis insoles offer superior heel cushioning and arch support. The dual-layer cushioning is designed to reduce stress and fatigue, while PowerStep premium arch support is designed for plantar fasciitis relief.
- The PowerStep Pinnacle arch support inserts for men & women can be worn in a variety of shoe types such as; athletic, walking, running, work & some casual shoes. Orthotic Inserts are ordered by shoe size, no trimming required.
- Made in the USA & backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. PowerStep orthotic inserts for men & women are designed for shoes where the factory insole can be removed. HSA & FSA Eligible
The podiatrist-recommended over-the-counter orthotic.
OOFOS Recovery Slide
- The Original Recovery Footwear.
- Finding Your Size - For your perfect fit, consult the “size chart” link above. Wear a half size? In general, we recommend that women who wear a ½ size size UP, and men who wear a ½ size size DOWN
- OOahh - An evolution of the OOriginal, the OOahh slide features our proven foundation of OOfoam technology + patented footbed design with a slide-style strap that has become a best-seller in the OOFOS line
- OOfoam Technology - Our revolutionary OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foams to reduce the stress on your feet, joints & back. Plus, the closed-cell foam is machine washable and designed to minimize odor
- Patented Footbed - Our patented footbed cradles and supports arches to reduce energy exertion in the ankles by up to 47% compared to competitors’ footwear. So walking is easier. Recovery is faster. And yOO feel better
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.
PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Dr. Tom’s most-prescribed OTC orthotic. Lateral wedge corrects overpronation that causes 90% of foot pain. Deep heel cradle stabilizes the ankle. Built by podiatrists, used by patients worldwide.
- Lateral wedge corrects pronation
- Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
- Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
- Trim-to-fit any shoe
- Used by 10,000+ podiatrists
- Trim-to-size required
- 5-7 day break-in for some
CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
3 arch heights for custom fit (Low/Med/High). Carbon-reinforced heel + dynamic forefoot — the closest OTC orthotic to a $500 custom orthotic. Engineered in Germany.
- 3 arch heights for custom fit
- Carbon-reinforced heel cup
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- Premium German engineering
- Sport-specific support
- Pricier than PowerStep
- 7-10 day break-in
Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Menthol-based natural pain relief — Dr. Tom’s #1 brand for fast relief without greasy residue. Safe for diabetics + daily use. Cleaner formula than Voltaren or Biofreeze.
- Menthol-based natural formula
- No greasy residue
- Safe for diabetics
- Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
- Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze
- Pricier than Biofreeze
- Strong menthol scent at first
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.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)