Podiatrist in Howell MI – Balance Foot & Ankle

HOWELL, MICHIGAN · SAME-WEEK APPOINTMENTS
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Board-certified podiatrists · ★ 4.9 · 1,123+ reviews · Most insurance accepted
Book Online — Howell → Call (810) 206-1402
Don’t see an online time that works? Call (810) 206-1402 — urgent problems are often seen same-day.
Howell, Michigan · Livingston County

Expert Foot & Ankle Care in Howell, MI

★★★★★4.9on Google · 1,123+ verified reviews

Board-certified podiatric surgeons at 4330 E Grand River Ave, serving Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville & Pinckney. Same-week appointments available.

  • Board-Certified · FACFAS
  • 3,000+ Surgeries Performed
  • Same-Week Appointments
  • Most Insurance Accepted
Same-Week Appointments

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4.9
Google Rating
Verified on Google
1,123+
5-Star Reviews
From real patients
3,000+
Surgeries Performed
Board-certified
5,000+
New Patients / Year
Across Michigan
Meet Your Care Team

Our Howell Podiatrists

Board-certified foot & ankle surgeons who take the time to listen, explain, and get you back on your feet.

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — podiatrist in Howell, Michigan

Dr. Tom Biernacki

DPM, FACFAS · Founder

Double board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Balance Foot & Ankle. With 3,000+ surgical procedures and a 4.9★ rating, Dr. Biernacki specializes in advanced bunion correction, heel pain relief, and minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery.

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Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM — podiatrist in Howell, Michigan

Dr. Daria Gutkin

DPM · Board-Certified Physician

Board-certified podiatric physician known for the gentlest hands in Michigan — anxious patients specifically request her. She is also the doctor to ask for if you prefer a female podiatrist in Howell. Bilingual (English & Russian), with a special focus on women’s foot health, pediatric conditions, and minimally invasive care.

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Comprehensive Care

Foot & Ankle Services in Howell

From routine nail care to complex reconstructive surgery — all under one roof for Livingston County.

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Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Sharp morning heel pain? We combine custom orthotics, laser therapy, and targeted exercises to eliminate pain and restore activity.

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Bunion Correction

Advanced minimally invasive bunion surgery with recovery as short as 2–3 weeks. Many patients return to normal activity quickly.

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Ingrown Toenail Removal

Same-day removal eliminates pain immediately, with permanent correction techniques to prevent regrowth — in one quick visit.

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Diabetic Foot Care

Comprehensive diabetic foot exams, wound care, diabetic shoes, and preventive programs to protect foot health and avoid complications.

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Custom 3D Orthotics

3D-scanned custom insoles built for your foot shape and biomechanics — superior arch support and relief vs. over-the-counter.

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Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment

Safe, painless, FDA-cleared laser therapy clears toenail fungus without harsh medications or downtime.

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Conditions We Treat

Foot & Ankle Conditions We Treat in Howell

Most of what we see at our Howell office falls into a handful of patterns. Here’s how we think about each one — and when it’s worth coming in rather than waiting it out.

Heel and arch pain. Plantar fasciitis is the single most common reason Livingston County patients come to see us. The tell is sharp pain in the first few steps out of bed that eases as you move, then returns after sitting. Most cases resolve with a structured plan rather than a single cortisone shot, and we’ll show you what actually moves the needle. See heel & arch pain and custom orthotics & footwear.

Bunions and toe deformities. A bunion is a joint problem, not just a bump, which is why drugstore spacers rarely help for long. We stage them and only recommend surgery when conservative care has genuinely run its course. More on bunions & toe deformities.

Sports and ankle injuries. Sprains that “never quite healed” are one of the most under-treated problems we see — a poorly rehabbed ankle re-sprains. We assess stability and rebuild it properly. More on sports & ankle injuries.

Diabetic foot and wound care. For patients with diabetes, a small foot problem is never small. We provide protective exams and active diabetic wound care — and we’d rather see you for something minor than too late.

Nerve pain and numbness. Burning, tingling, or numbness can point to neuropathy and deserves a real work-up, not just a supplement. See peripheral neuropathy treatment.

From Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS

What I Look For When You Come In

The mistake I see most often is patients waiting months because they assume foot pain will “just go away.” Sometimes it does. But the conditions that get dramatically harder to treat the longer you wait — a stress fracture, a diabetic ulcer, an unstable ankle, a progressing bunion — are exactly the ones people tend to sit on.

When I examine a new foot-pain patient in Howell, I’m doing three things before I ever talk about treatment. First, I’m ruling out the problems that can’t wait — infection, fracture, a vascular issue, or a wound in a diabetic foot. Second, I’m watching how you actually walk, because the foot rarely fails in isolation; heel pain often traces back to tight calves or a collapsing arch. Third, I’m honest with you about what conservative care can realistically do, and on what timeline.

Here’s what I’ll tell you that a lot of marketing won’t: most foot pain does not need surgery. In our practice the large majority of plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and early bunion cases are managed without an operation. When surgery is the right answer, it’s because we’ve worked through the conservative options first — and we’ll explain exactly why before we ever schedule one.

Welcome to Balance Foot & Ankle

What to Expect as a New Patient

A quick welcome from our team — how your first visit works and how we’ll get you back on your feet.

New patient welcome — Balance Foot & Ankle

Ready to Get Relief? Same-Week Appointments Available

Don’t let foot pain slow you down — our Howell team is accepting new patients.

Custom orthotics video — Balance Foot & Ankle Howell

Custom Orthotics at Our Howell Office

Doctor-designed orthotics, fitted right here in Howell — built for your exact foot mechanics to relieve heel, arch, and ball-of-foot pain.

What to Expect

Your First Visit & Insurance in Howell

A first visit is straightforward. We’ll take a brief history, capture on-site digital X-rays if they’re needed (no separate trip to a hospital), examine the foot and how you move, and give you a clear diagnosis and plan the same day — not a vague “let’s see how it goes.”

We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Priority Health, HAP, Molina, and Meridian. If you’re not sure whether we’re in-network, call us at (810) 206-1402 and we’ll check your specific plan before you come in. Many patients are seen the same week.

Visit Us in Livingston County

Our Howell Office

In the Savannah Office Condominiums, just east of M-59 on Grand River Avenue — easy access from I-96 exit 137, with ample free parking directly in front.

Livingston County
Balance Foot & Ankle
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843

📞 (810) 206-1402 · Fax (810) 207-1102

🕐 Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Sat–Sun closed

Ground-floor entrance, fully wheelchair accessible with ADA-compliant exam rooms and free parking directly in front.

Serving Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, Pinckney, Fenton, Hamburg, Whitmore Lake, South Lyon, Gregory, Cohoctah — Livingston County.

Good to Know

Conditions & Treatments We Treat at Our Howell Office

Our Howell podiatrists diagnose and treat the full range of foot and ankle problems for patients across Livingston County. Explore the specific care we provide:

Specialized Treatments & Services

Beyond everyday foot and ankle care, our Howell podiatrists provide specialized treatments and in-office services for patients across Livingston County:

Our Howell team includes board-certified foot & ankle specialists and, when surgery is truly the right answer, experienced foot & ankle surgeons — so most patients are diagnosed and treated without leaving our care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Howell podiatry office?
We’re at 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843, in the Savannah Office Condominiums — east of M-59 on the south side of Grand River Avenue, easily reached from I-96 via exit 137.
What are your office hours?
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule a time that works for you.
Do you offer same-day appointments?
Yes — same-day appointments are often available. Call (810) 206-1402 as soon as you have a concern; we prioritize urgent cases and can frequently fit you in the same day.
Do you accept walk-in patients?
We accept walk-ins when availability permits, though we recommend calling (810) 206-1402 ahead to confirm openings. Most new patients can be seen within 24 hours.
Which podiatrists see patients in Howell?
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM, both see patients regularly in Howell. You can request your preferred provider when scheduling.
What insurance do you accept?
We accept most major plans including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Priority Health, HAP, Molina, and Meridian, plus many others.
Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist in Howell?
For most plans, no — you can book directly. A few HMO plans require a referral; if you’re unsure, call (810) 206-1402 and we’ll verify before your visit.
How soon should I see a foot doctor for heel pain?
If sharp heel pain has lasted more than a week or two, or it’s keeping you from normal activity, it’s worth coming in — early plantar fasciitis is far easier to resolve than a case that has been left for months.
When is foot or ankle pain an emergency?
Sudden severe swelling, an open wound that won’t heal (especially with diabetes), signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or fever, or an inability to bear weight after an injury should be seen promptly. Call us and we’ll get you in.
Will I need surgery?
Usually not. The majority of the conditions we treat are managed without surgery. We only recommend a procedure after conservative care has had a fair chance — and we’ll explain exactly why if we get there.
Where can I find podiatry near me in Howell?
Our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River Ave is just past the Latson Road exit off I-96, making it the closest full-service podiatry office for most of Howell, Brighton, and Hartland. Same-week appointments are usually available — call (810) 206-1402.
Who is the best podiatrist near Howell?
Patients consistently rate Balance Foot & Ankle among the best podiatrists near Howell — 4.9 stars across 1,123+ verified reviews. The right podiatrist for you is board-certified, explains every option before recommending surgery, and can see you quickly. We encourage you to read our patient reviews and decide for yourself.
What is the most common problem podiatrists treat in Howell?
Heel pain — most often plantar fasciitis — is the #1 reason patients visit our Howell office, followed by ingrown toenails, bunions, toenail fungus, and diabetic foot concerns. Most are treatable without surgery when caught early.
Which foot symptoms should you never ignore?
See a podiatrist promptly for: numbness, burning, or tingling (especially if you are diabetic); a cut or sore that has not healed within two weeks; sudden redness, warmth, or swelling; a dark spot or streak under a toenail; or pain that changes how you walk. Early treatment prevents most serious complications.
Serving Livingston County

Communities We Serve from Howell

Patients drive in from across Livingston County. Same-week appointments, most insurance accepted.

Not sure which office? Call (810) 206-1402 — we’ll book you at the closer location with the next same-week slot. Also serving Oakland County from our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302.

Conditions & services we treat in Howell: our podiatrists care for heel & arch pain, bunions & toe deformities, sports & ankle injuries, and a full range of foot & ankle conditions — plus custom orthotics & footwear guidance.

Patients across Livingston County can also book a medical pedicure at our Howell office — a hygienic, podiatrist-supervised alternative to the nail salon. We also provide children’s & pediatric podiatry for young feet across Livingston County.

Ready to see a podiatrist in Howell?

Balance Foot & Ankle’s Howell office on E Grand River Ave offers expert, conservative-first foot & ankle care from board-certified podiatrists.

📅 Book an Appointment 📞 (810) 206-1402

★ 4.9 from 1,123+ Google reviews · Same-week visits · We verify your insurance free — most visits are just a copay.

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Balance Foot & Ankle is listed and reviewed on every major medical directory and review platform.

Howell Office Hours

DayHours
Monday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Driving Directions to Our Howell Office

  • From Brighton: Take I-96 west to the Grand River Avenue exit and head into Howell — about 15 minutes.
  • From Hartland: Take M-59 west toward Howell, then south to East Grand River Avenue — about 20 minutes.
  • From Fowlerville: Take I-96 east and exit at Grand River Avenue in Howell — about 15 minutes.
  • From Pinckney: Take D-19 (Pinckney Road) north into Howell to East Grand River Avenue — about 20 minutes.
Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons are affiliated with Trinity Health Michigan, Corewell Health, and Henry Ford Health — three of Michigan’s largest health systems.