Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Balance Foot & Ankle provides podiatry care for patients near Lake Angelus from our Bloomfield Hills office, approximately 12-15 miles south. Dr. Tom Biernacki treats heel pain, ingrown toenails, bunions, ankle sprains, skin conditions, and diabetic foot complications. Call (248) 962-8515 for same-week scheduling.
Podiatry Services Near Lake Angelus, Michigan
Lake Angelus is a small, private-lake city in Oakland County, situated in the northwestern portion of Pontiac near the Auburn Hills and Waterford Township borders. The community’s residents seek quality healthcare throughout Oakland County, and Balance Foot & Ankle in Bloomfield Hills is among the closest full-service podiatry practices — approximately 12-15 miles south via Opdyke Road or Telegraph Road.
Dr. Tom Biernacki is a board-certified podiatrist serving patients throughout Oakland County. Our practice offers comprehensive foot and ankle care — from routine toenail conditions and skin problems to complex ankle surgery and diabetic wound management.
Conditions We Treat for North Oakland County Patients
Heel pain and plantar fasciitis are the most common reason patients visit us for the first time. The classic presentation — sharp pain with the first steps of the morning that improves with walking but returns after prolonged rest — is caused by microtears in the plantar fascial band. We use in-office ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and grade the severity, then develop a treatment plan that typically includes stretching protocols, custom orthotics, and when needed, shockwave therapy (ESWT) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
Bunions (hallux valgus) are a progressive deformity of the 1st MTP joint that affects both form and function. Conservative care — wide toe box shoes, bunion splints, and custom orthotics — slows progression and reduces pain. When deformity becomes severe or pain limits daily activity, surgical correction (Chevron, Scarf, or Lapidus osteotomy depending on severity) provides permanent realignment.
Ankle instability and sprains are common in Oakland County’s active population. Most lateral ankle sprains (ATFL injuries) resolve with physical therapy and bracing. Chronic ankle instability — multiple sprains, a feeling of the ankle giving way — requires surgical stabilization (Broström-Gould procedure) to restore ligament integrity.
We provide complete diabetic foot care including neuropathy screening, vascular assessment (ABI), therapeutic footwear prescriptions, and ulcer prevention protocols. Our practice coordinates with endocrinologists and vascular surgeons when complex cases require multidisciplinary management.
Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle
Our Bloomfield Hills office features in-office digital X-ray and musculoskeletal ultrasound, allowing same-visit diagnosis for most acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Biernacki performs both conservative and surgical management — eliminating the need for separate referrals in most cases. We accept Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and most major insurance plans.
To schedule from the Lake Angelus area, call (248) 962-8515. Same-week appointments are typically available, and urgent presentations are accommodated with next-day or same-day openings.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx Motion Insoles
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Semi-rigid arch support insoles with dual-layer cushioning and motion control. Recommended for plantar fasciitis, overpronation, and general arch fatigue. Works in athletic shoes, casual sneakers, and work boots.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist recommended these while I waited for my custom orthotics. They gave me about 70% of the relief right away — the morning heel pain was much more manageable.”
Patients with plantar fasciitis, overpronation, or general arch fatigue awaiting custom orthotic fabrication
Patients who have been prescribed custom orthotics — use those instead
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tuli’s Classic Heel Cup
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Waffle-pattern silicone heel cup that cushions the calcaneus and absorbs ground impact. Fits inside existing shoes without removing the insole. Provides immediate shock absorption for heel bruise, plantar fasciitis, and fat pad atrophy.
Dr. Tom says: “I started wearing these after my podiatrist suggested them for my heel pad thinning. The difference in comfort when walking on hard floors was immediate.”
Patients with fat pad atrophy, plantar fasciitis, or heel bruise who need immediate cushioning in existing footwear
Not a substitute for arch-supportive orthotics in patients with structural flatfoot or overpronation
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Copper Compression Ankle Brace
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Graduated compression ankle sleeve for mild ankle instability, post-sprain support, and chronic swelling. Fits inside most shoes and provides proprioceptive feedback that reduces re-sprain risk during activity.
Dr. Tom says: “I wore this during my recovery from a lateral ankle sprain. It gave me enough support to stay active while I was in physical therapy, and my podiatrist said the compression helped control swelling.”
Patients recovering from mild ankle sprains, those with chronic ankle swelling, or athletes needing proprioceptive support during return to activity
Not for acute fractures or severe ligament tears — those require a rigid boot or surgical consultation
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- 12-15 mile drive from Lake Angelus — among the closest full-service podiatry options
- In-office X-ray and ultrasound for same-visit diagnosis
- Same-week scheduling typically available
- Full surgical capabilities for bunions, ankle instability, and tendon repair
❌ Cons / Risks
- Drive time of 20-25 minutes from the Lake Angelus area
- Surgical procedures require advance scheduling at hospital or surgery center
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
North Oakland County patients from the Lake Angelus and Pontiac area have excellent access to our Bloomfield Hills practice. Whether you need something as routine as ingrown nail care or as complex as ankle reconstruction, we’re well-equipped to evaluate and treat you without sending you elsewhere for imaging or referrals.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Lake Angelus?
Approximately 12-15 miles south via Opdyke Road or Telegraph Road to Bloomfield Hills. The drive is typically 20-25 minutes.
Do you accept walk-in patients?
We prefer scheduled appointments to minimize wait times, but we accommodate urgent cases — fractures, severe infections, acute ankle injuries — same-day or next-day. Call ahead so we can prepare.
Do you perform surgery in your office?
We perform minor surgical procedures (ingrown nail correction, soft tissue biopsy, lesion excision) in-office. Larger procedures including bunion surgery and ankle stabilization are performed at a local surgery center or hospital, typically with same-week or next-week scheduling.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Priority Health among others. Call our office to verify your specific plan.
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)