Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI Last reviewed: May 2026
MICHIGAN PODIATRIST INSIGHT
Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-day appointments for urgent foot and ankle conditions across Southeast Michigan — but the most important factor in outcomes isn’t getting seen quickly. Our podiatrists explain what to do in the first 24-48 hours before your appointment that most patients skip entirely. Call (810) 206-1402 — expert podiatric care across Michigan.
Dr. Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle welcomes Auburn Hills Michigan patients for expert foot and ankle podiatric care.
Expert Podiatric Care Accessible from Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills is a dynamic Oakland County community with a large workforce in automotive, technology, and healthcare industries—all of which place significant demands on foot and ankle health. Balance Foot & Ankle, led by Dr. Tom Biernacki, delivers expert podiatric medicine accessible to Auburn Hills patients. Whether you need routine nail care, sports injury rehabilitation, or complex reconstructive surgery, Dr. Biernacki provides individualized, evidence-based care with same-week availability.
Conditions Treated for Auburn Hills Patients
Auburn Hills patients come to Balance Foot & Ankle for heel and arch pain from plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenail procedures and permanent correction, fungal nail laser therapy, bunion and hammertoe surgical and conservative correction, Morton’s neuroma management, ankle ligament reconstruction, sports injuries including stress fractures and turf toe, Achilles tendinopathy and repair, diabetic foot surveillance and wound care, and pediatric foot conditions including flatfoot and Sever’s disease.
Sports Podiatry for Auburn Hills Active Patients
Auburn Hills has a fitness-conscious population with strong participation in running, cycling, soccer, and recreational sports. Dr. Biernacki’s sports podiatry expertise addresses overuse injuries—stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle impingement, and plantar fasciitis—with evidence-based treatment protocols including extracorporeal shockwave therapy, PRP injections for tendinopathy, and custom athletic orthotics. Biomechanical gait analysis helps Auburn Hills athletes identify contributing movement patterns and return to sport faster with reduced recurrence risk.
In-Office Diagnostics at Your First Visit
Balance Foot & Ankle’s in-office digital X-ray and musculoskeletal ultrasound eliminate referral delays. Most Auburn Hills patients receive their diagnosis and initial treatment plan at the first appointment. Ultrasound-guided injections for plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, and tendinopathy deliver targeted treatment with real-time image confirmation. When MRI is needed, referrals are coordinated promptly with Auburn Hills area imaging centers.
Booking Your Auburn Hills Appointment
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Cigna. New Auburn Hills patients are typically scheduled within one week. For acute injuries and urgent concerns, same-day appointments are prioritized. Call (734) 479-0560 or visit MichiganFootDoctors.com to request an appointment online.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Hoka One One Bondi Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Maximum cushioning and meta-rocker geometry reduce impact loading for Auburn Hills runners and athletes recovering from plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, or Achilles tendinopathy.
Dr. Tom says:“I recommend Hoka Bondi to many of my Auburn Hills patients dealing with heel pain and forefoot overuse—the cushioning and geometry are excellent for reducing plantar impact.”
✅ Best for Auburn Hills runners and athletes with heel or forefoot pain
⚠️ Not ideal for Those with significant instability needing a more motion-control focused shoe
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
KT Tape Pro Kinesiology Athletic Tape
⭐ Highly Rated
Kinesiology taping for plantar fasciitis, ankle stability, and Achilles support—useful for Auburn Hills athletes managing overuse injuries between clinic visits and during return to sport.
Dr. Tom says:“KT Tape applied correctly provides meaningful plantar fascia support and ankle proprioception during activity.”
✅ Best for Auburn Hills athletes with mild-to-moderate plantar fasciitis or ankle instability
⚠️ Not ideal for Acute severe injuries requiring rigid taping or bracing under podiatric supervision
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
S
p
o
r
t
s
p
o
d
i
a
t
r
y
e
x
p
e
r
t
i
s
e
f
o
r
A
u
b
u
r
n
H
i
l
l
s
a
c
t
i
v
e
c
o
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
,
s
a
m
e
–
w
e
e
k
a
p
p
o
i
n
t
m
e
n
t
s
,
i
n
–
o
f
f
i
c
e
d
i
a
g
n
o
s
t
i
c
s
,
f
u
l
l
s
u
r
g
i
c
a
l
c
a
p
a
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
.
❌ Cons / Risks
T
r
a
v
e
l
t
o
c
l
i
n
i
c
r
e
q
u
i
r
e
d
;
s
o
m
e
s
p
e
c
i
a
l
i
z
e
d
s
u
r
g
i
c
a
l
p
r
o
c
e
d
u
r
e
s
r
e
q
u
i
r
e
h
o
s
p
i
t
a
l
o
p
e
r
a
t
i
n
g
r
o
o
m
s
c
h
e
d
u
l
i
n
g
.
Dr
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Auburn Hills is a fast-moving community and people here don’t like being slowed down by foot pain. If you’re a competitive runner with a stress fracture or an office worker whose plantar fasciitis makes every morning miserable, I’ll give you an accurate diagnosis and a realistic timeline for getting back to full activity. Don’t wait—call us this week.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Balance Foot & Ankle treat runners from Auburn Hills?
Absolutely. Running-related injuries including plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, and ankle instability are among our most common referrals from Oakland County athletes.
Can I get same-day X-rays at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Yes, digital X-ray is available in-office at your appointment so we can diagnose and begin treatment the same day, rather than sending you elsewhere for imaging.
What insurance plans does Balance Foot & Ankle accept for Auburn Hills patients?
We accept most major plans including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and others. Call to verify your specific plan.
How long will I wait to see Dr. Biernacki from Auburn Hills?
Most new patients are seen within one week. Urgent injuries and acute pain are prioritized for faster scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a podiatrist?
If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).
What does treatment cost?
Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.
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.
Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons are affiliated with Trinity Health Michigan, Corewell Health, and Henry Ford Health — three of Michigan’s largest health systems.