Quick answer: Milford Highland Township Foot Doctor Podiatrist is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
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Foot and Ankle Care Serving Milford and Highland Township
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Residents of Milford village, Highland Township, and surrounding communities in northwestern Oakland County and eastern Livingston County have convenient access to expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. With offices in Howell and Bloomfield Township, Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, is positioned to serve patients throughout this region with hands-on exam plus imaging when needed and treatment for all foot and ankle conditions.
A Community That Loves the Outdoors
The Milford and Highland area is beloved for its natural beauty, including Kensington Metropark, Island Lake State Recreation Area, and the Huron River. Residents enjoy hiking, trail running, cycling, kayaking, and equestrian activities — all pursuits that place significant demands on feet and ankles. We serve active community members ranging from weekend warriors to competitive athletes, helping them recover from injuries and return to the activities they love.
We also treat the everyday foot problems that affect community members of all activity levels: heel pain with morning stiffness, ingrown toenails that won’t resolve, fungal toenail infections, diabetic foot concerns, and structural problems like bunions and flat feet that progressively worsen without treatment.
Conditions We Treat
Our practice provides care for the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, including plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, Achilles tendinopathy and tendon tears, ankle sprains and chronic instability, bunions and bunionettes, hammertoes, mallet toes, and claw toes, Morton’s neuroma and nerve entrapment conditions, diabetic foot complications and wound care, ingrown toenails and nail conditions, toenail fungus (onychomycosis), flatfoot and high-arch foot types, stress fractures, and osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle.
Pediatric patients are also welcome — from school-age children with growth plate conditions like Sever’s disease to teen athletes with sports injuries.
Diagnostic Technology in Our Office
We invest in diagnostic technology so your evaluation is thorough and efficient. Digital X-ray with immediate on-screen results eliminates the wait for film processing. In-office musculoskeletal ultrasound allows real-time evaluation of tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue masses without radiation. Biomechanical gait analysis reveals how your walking pattern contributes to your condition. Together, these tools give us the information needed to diagnose accurately and treat effectively.
Custom Orthotics and Conservative Care
When foot mechanics contribute to your condition — which is more often the case than not — custom functional orthotics provide tailored support that over-the-counter insoles cannot replicate. Our orthotics are fabricated based on detailed impression casting and biomechanical data specific to your foot type, condition, and activity goals. We work with each patient to select the appropriate orthotic design for their specific footwear and lifestyle needs.
Conservative care extends beyond orthotics to include injection therapies, physical therapy protocols, specialized taping techniques, and evidence-based footwear guidance.
Surgical Care When Needed
When conservative treatment has not provided adequate relief, surgery may be the path forward. Dr. Biernacki performs a thorough range of procedures from minor in-office surgeries (ingrown toenail correction, neuroma excision, soft tissue mass removal) to major reconstructive procedures including bunion correction, hammertoe repair, tendon reconstruction, ankle stabilization, and fracture fixation. Our surgical care emphasizes thorough patient education, realistic expectation-setting, and close follow-up through recovery.
Serving Highland Township, White Lake, South Lyon, and Beyond
The Milford/Highland area sits at the intersection of Oakland and Livingston counties, and our two-location practice is designed to serve patients from both counties. Our Howell office is particularly convenient for Livingston County residents, while the Bloomfield Hills office serves Oakland County communities most efficiently.
We work with most major insurance plans and offer a welcoming, unhurried approach to care. New patient appointments are available, and urgent concerns are accommodated promptly. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online through our new patient portal to get started.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
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📞 (810) 206-1402
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Watch: Dr. Tom explains
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When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
What is Foot pain?
Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.
Symptoms and warning signs
Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.
Conservative treatment options
Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.
When is surgery considered?
Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.
Recovery timeline and prevention
Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.
Ready to feel better?
Same-week appointments available in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) 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 made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.