Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Care in Howell and Bloomfield Township, Michigan

Balance Foot & Ankle is a full-service podiatric practice serving patients throughout Livingston County, Oakland County, and the greater southeast Michigan region. With offices in Howell and Bloomfield Township, our board-certified podiatrists — Dr. Tom Biernacki, Dr. Carl Jay, and Dr. Daria Gutkin — provide the complete spectrum of foot and ankle medical and surgical care.

Our Podiatric Team

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Biernacki completed his podiatric medical training and surgical residency with advanced training in foot and ankle reconstruction. His clinical interests include bunion surgery (including the Lapiplasty 3D correction), heel pain, diabetic limb preservation, and running medicine. He is known for his detailed explanations, patient-centered approach, and commitment to exhausting conservative options before recommending surgery.

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Dr. Jay brings extensive podiatric surgical experience with particular expertise in ankle surgery, trauma, and sports medicine. He treats athletes from high school through professional levels and provides comprehensive biomechanical evaluation for runners and active patients.

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Dr. Gutkin specializes in wound care, diabetic foot management, and nail procedures. She is known for her thoroughness and compassionate care, and has extensive training in wound healing and limb salvage for high-risk diabetic patients.

Conditions We Treat

Our podiatric team treats the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, including:

• Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and heel spurs
• Bunions and bunionettes
• Hammer toes, claw toes, and toe deformities
• Toenail problems — ingrown nails, fungal nails, nail trauma
• Ankle sprains, fractures, and instability
• Achilles tendon pain and rupture
• Flatfoot and high arch conditions
• Diabetic foot care, wound management, and prevention
• Custom orthotics and biomechanical evaluation
• Neuropathy — evaluation and management
• Arthritis — gout, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis
• Morton’s neuroma and ball of foot pain
• Warts, corns, calluses, and skin conditions
• Sports medicine — running injuries, stress fractures
• Pediatric foot conditions

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Before Your Appointment

New patients can complete paperwork online through our patient portal to save time at the office. Bring your insurance card, a list of current medications, and any prior imaging (X-rays, MRI) relevant to your foot or ankle complaint. Wear or bring the shoes you wear most frequently — we often want to see your footwear.

At Your First Appointment

New patient visits at Balance Foot & Ankle are comprehensive. You can expect:

1. Detailed history: We ask about your pain pattern, onset, prior treatment, activity level, and medical history
2. Physical examination: Including gait analysis, range of motion testing, muscle strength assessment, sensory testing, and vascular evaluation
3. In-office imaging: Weight-bearing X-rays are available same-day; ultrasound for soft tissue evaluation
4. Clear diagnosis and treatment plan: We explain our findings, discuss treatment options, and allow time for questions
5. Same-day treatment: Many conditions can be addressed at the first visit — nail procedures, injections, dressings, casting for orthotics

Our Approach to Care

At Balance Foot & Ankle, we believe in evidence-based medicine and shared decision-making. We never push surgery before conservative options have been properly tried. We explain our reasoning, present options, and respect patient preferences. We provide:

• Same-day appointments for urgent problems
• Minimal wait times — we respect your schedule
• On-site digital X-ray
• In-office procedures to avoid unnecessary hospital visits
• Insurance billing assistance and transparent fee disclosure

Accepting Most Major Insurance Plans

Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (Healthy Michigan Plan). Our staff handles pre-authorization and insurance verification before your appointment so there are no billing surprises.

For patients without insurance, we offer transparent self-pay pricing. Many routine podiatric services are affordable without insurance.

How to Schedule

Call our office at (810) 206-1402 to schedule an appointment at our Howell or Bloomfield Township office. Same-day appointments are often available for urgent needs. We also accept new patients who have been referred by their primary care physician or other specialists.

Don’t wait on foot pain — most podiatric conditions respond far better to early treatment than to months of “waiting it out.” We look forward to helping you get back on your feet.

Ready to Get Relief? Book an Appointment Today.

Board-certified podiatrists Dr. Tom Biernacki, Dr. Carl Jay, and Dr. Daria Gutkin see patients daily at our Howell and Bloomfield Township, MI offices.

📅 Book Online
📞 (810) 206-1402