Quick answer: A foot & ankle surgeon treats conditions of the foot and ankle that may need surgery — bunions, hammertoes, fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, and painful deformities — though most cases are still resolved without an operation. At Balance Foot & Ankle, our board-certified foot & ankle surgeons in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, MI evaluate you, try conservative care first, and recommend surgery only when it is truly needed.
Balance Foot & Ankle is home to a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon serving Howell, Brighton, Bloomfield Hills, and the surrounding Southeast Michigan communities. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS, has performed more than 3,000 foot and ankle surgeries and takes a conservative-first approach — surgery is recommended only when it is genuinely the best path to getting you back on your feet. Call (810) 206-1402 or request a consultation.
When You Might Need a Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Most foot and ankle problems improve with conservative care. Surgery becomes worth discussing when pain limits your daily life despite months of non-surgical treatment, when a deformity is getting worse, or when an injury will not heal on its own. Common reasons patients are referred to a foot and ankle surgeon include painful bunions and hammertoes, chronic heel pain that has not responded to treatment, Morton’s neuroma, recurrent ingrown toenails, fractures that need stabilizing, and flat feet that have become rigid or painful.
Procedures We Perform
- Bunion surgery, including minimally invasive (MIS) bunion correction through small incisions
- Hammertoe correction and digital deformity repair
- Heel pain and plantar fascia surgery when conservative care has failed
- Morton’s neuroma removal and nerve procedures
- Permanent ingrown toenail correction (matrixectomy)
- Fracture repair and ankle stabilization
- Flatfoot reconstruction and tendon repair
- Bone spur removal
Why Patients Choose Dr. Biernacki
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified podiatric surgeon and the founder of Balance Foot & Ankle. Fellowship-trained and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, he has performed over 3,000 procedures and is known for explaining every option clearly before any decision is made. Our practice holds a 4.9-star rating from more than 1,123 Google reviews. Read Dr. Biernacki’s full bio →
Conservative Care First, Minimally Invasive When Possible
We always start with the least invasive option that can solve the problem — orthotics, physical therapy, injections, bracing, or shockwave therapy. When surgery is the right choice, many procedures can be done with minimally invasive techniques that use smaller incisions, which often means less scarring and a faster return to activity. Because evaluation, imaging, surgery, and follow-up all happen within one practice, your care stays coordinated from start to finish.
What to Expect
Your first visit includes a thorough exam and on-site digital X-rays so we can pinpoint the problem the same day. If surgery is appropriate, we walk you through the procedure, recovery timeline, and what to expect week by week before you commit to anything. Most patients are seen within the same week, and we coordinate scheduling around your work and life.
Insurance & New Patients
We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, HAP, and Priority Health. See our full insurance information → New patients can complete intake forms online before the first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a podiatric surgeon the same as an orthopedic foot surgeon?
Both treat the foot and ankle. A podiatric foot and ankle surgeon focuses exclusively on the foot and ankle for their entire training and career. Dr. Biernacki is board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Learn more about the difference →
Will I definitely need surgery?
No. Most foot and ankle conditions are treated without surgery. We recommend a procedure only when conservative care has not worked or is unlikely to, and we will always explain why.
Do I need a referral?
Most insurance plans let you see a podiatric surgeon without a referral. Some HMO plans require one — call us and we will verify your coverage before your visit.
Where are procedures performed?
Depending on the procedure, surgery is performed in an accredited surgical facility or in-office. We will tell you exactly where and what to expect during your consultation.
Schedule a Surgical Consultation
Get a clear answer about your foot or ankle problem from a board-certified surgeon. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843
Bloomfield Hills: 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
(810) 206-1402