Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Balance Foot & Ankle serves Independence Township and Clarkston-area patients from our Bloomfield Hills office — approximately 15–18 miles south via Sashabaw Road and I-75. Dr. Tom Biernacki accepts most major insurance plans and provides same-week appointments. Call (248) 477-4619.
Podiatric Care Serving Independence Township & Clarkston
Independence Township and Clarkston-area residents have convenient access to board-certified podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle’s Bloomfield Hills office — approximately 15–18 miles south via Sashabaw Road and I-75. The drive is straightforward and our office offers early morning appointments to accommodate patients from northern Oakland County. Dr. Tom Biernacki has served Oakland County patients for over 15 years with comprehensive foot and ankle care.
Common Conditions in Independence Township Patients
Independence Township’s outdoor lifestyle — Deer Lake, Orion Oaks County Park, and the Clinton River Trail system — drives significant sports and recreational foot injuries. Ankle sprains from trail running and hiking, plantar fasciitis in distance runners training on the area’s paved trail networks, and turf toe from youth soccer and football are among the most common presentations from this community.
The area’s aging population also presents with progressive bunion deformities, hammertoes, and the foot complications of diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. Early intervention with appropriate footwear, orthotics, and minimally invasive procedures prevents the major surgical interventions that become necessary when structural problems are ignored.
Services Available for Independence Township Patients
At Balance Foot & Ankle, Independence Township patients receive comprehensive evaluation with on-site digital X-ray and diagnostic ultrasound. Custom orthotics are fabricated from digital scans in 2–3 weeks. Injection therapy — corticosteroid, platelet-rich plasma, and hyaluronic acid — is performed under ultrasound guidance for accuracy. Nail procedures including laser fungal treatment and ingrown nail removal are handled in a single visit. Surgical consultation for bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, and flatfoot reconstruction is available for cases that require operative management.
Why Patients Travel from Independence Township
Patients from Independence Township choose Dr. Biernacki for the same reason patients travel from across Oakland County: thorough evaluation, conservative-first philosophy, and access to advanced treatments not available at general urgent care or family medicine practices. Ultrasound-guided injections, laser nail therapy, and custom orthotic fabrication in one practice eliminates the referral chain that otherwise delays effective treatment.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Tuli’s Classic Heel Cups
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Medical-grade silicone heel cups providing shock absorption and heel bone support. Used by podiatrists for plantar fasciitis and heel pain management. Fits in most shoes.
Dr. Tom says: “”I’m from Clarkston and drive to Dr. Biernacki’s Bloomfield Hills office. He recommended these heel cups between visits and they’ve made a significant difference.””
Plantar fasciitis, heel fat pad atrophy, general heel pain
Not for patients requiring full-foot orthotic support
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Accessible from Independence Township via Sashabaw Rd and I-75 (15-18 miles)
- Comprehensive services including X-ray, ultrasound, orthotics, and laser nail treatment
- Board-certified podiatrist with 15+ years serving Oakland County
- Same-week appointments available for acute conditions
❌ Cons / Risks
- Not physically located in Independence Township — travel to Bloomfield Hills required
- Popular practice — advance booking recommended for elective procedures
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Independence Township is beautiful outdoor country — I have patients who run the Orion Oaks trails and hike the Polly Ann Trail regularly. When foot or ankle pain sidelines them from that lifestyle, we work fast to identify the cause and get them back out there safely.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a podiatrist near Clarkston MI?
Balance Foot & Ankle’s Bloomfield Hills office is the closest board-certified podiatry practice to Clarkston and Independence Township — approximately 15–18 miles via Sashabaw Road and I-75. We offer same-week appointments and accept most major insurance plans.
What’s the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon for foot pain?
Podiatrists specialize exclusively in the foot and ankle and provide comprehensive care from conservative management to surgery. Orthopedic surgeons have broader training across all musculoskeletal systems. For foot and ankle-specific conditions, a board-certified podiatrist typically has deeper specialized experience.
Can a podiatrist help with running injuries?
Yes — podiatrists are the primary specialists for running-related foot and ankle injuries. Biomechanical gait analysis, custom orthotics, physical therapy protocols, and injection therapy are all standard podiatric tools for managing stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and ankle instability in runners.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
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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)