Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC provides podiatric care for Battle Creek and Calhoun County residents through telehealth consultations and in-person appointments at our Howell, MI office. Dr. Tom Biernacki treats plantar fasciitis, diabetic foot care, bunions, ankle injuries, and complex reconstructive conditions. Call (517) 579-1881 for same-week appointments.
Battle Creek — the Cereal City — anchors Calhoun County as one of southwest Michigan’s largest metropolitan areas. From Kellogg Company workers to Fort Custer veterans to Kalamazoo River trail runners, Battle Creek’s diverse population has diverse foot health needs. Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC provides expert podiatric care for Battle Creek and Calhoun County residents through convenient telehealth consultations and in-person appointments at our Howell, MI office.
Foot & Ankle Conditions Treated for Battle Creek Patients
Dr. Tom Biernacki provides comprehensive care across all podiatric subspecialties: heel pain (plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, heel spurs), forefoot conditions (bunions, hammertoes, Morton’s neuroma, metatarsalgia), diabetic foot care and wound management, sports injuries (ankle sprains, stress fractures, tendon tears), nail conditions (fungal nails, ingrown toenails), and complex surgical reconstruction of flatfoot, cavus foot, and ankle arthritis.
Veterans & Industrial Workers: High-Risk Foot Populations in Calhoun County
Battle Creek is home to the Battle Creek VA Medical Center and Fort Custer, creating a significant veteran population with specific foot health needs — combat-related injuries, prosthetic limb interfaces, diabetic peripheral neuropathy from service-related conditions, and blast injury sequelae affecting foot and ankle biomechanics. Dr. Biernacki is experienced in veteran foot care and coordinates with VA providers when needed. Calhoun County’s industrial and food manufacturing workforce also presents high rates of occupational foot injury — plantar fasciitis from prolonged concrete standing, work boot-related pressure ulcers, and traumatic crush injuries.
Diabetic Foot Care in Battle Creek
Calhoun County has elevated rates of Type 2 diabetes relative to Michigan state averages. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease place feet at high risk for ulceration and amputation. Dr. Biernacki provides annual diabetic foot exams, comprehensive neuropathy screening, custom diabetic footwear prescriptions (Medicare-covered), and wound care for active ulcers. Early intervention is critical: a diabetic patient who loses a toe to a preventable ulcer faces a 5-year mortality rate comparable to many cancers.
Telehealth for Battle Creek Patients
The drive from Battle Creek to our Howell office is approximately 75–90 minutes — a barrier that telehealth eliminates for initial consultations, follow-ups, and prescription management. Battle Creek residents can connect with Dr. Biernacki via HIPAA-compliant video to discuss symptoms, review imaging sent from local facilities, receive custom orthotic prescriptions, and get referrals when needed. In-person appointments are reserved for injections, procedures, surgical consultations, and physical examinations requiring hands-on assessment.
Scheduling for Calhoun County Patients
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts BCBS Michigan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and most major commercial insurers. Battle Creek area patients with Molina Healthcare or HAP should call to verify network status. Urgent foot concerns — suspected fractures, new wounds, severe infections — are seen within 24–48 hours. Call (517) 579-1881 or schedule online at MichiganFootDoctors.com.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Foot Repair Gel
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Topical analgesic gel with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients for heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and general foot aches. Ideal for industrial workers on concrete floors.
Dr. Tom says: “As a factory worker on concrete 10 hours a day, this gel is the only thing keeping my feet functional.”
Plantar fasciitis, general foot pain, occupational foot fatigue
Open wounds or active infections — do not apply
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Diabetic Socks — Non-Binding Wide Ankle
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Seamless, non-binding diabetic socks with moisture-wicking cushioning. Essential daily wear for diabetic patients in Battle Creek to prevent pressure injuries and skin breakdown.
Dr. Tom says: “Dr. Biernacki recommended these — no more sock lines cutting into my ankles and no more blisters.”
Diabetic patients, neuropathy, edema, sensitive feet
Compression stockings are different — ask Dr. Biernacki which is right for you
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Telehealth eliminates the 90-minute drive from Battle Creek for initial consultations
- Veteran population expertise including prosthetic interface and combat injury management
- Diabetic foot program with Medicare-covered annual exams and custom footwear
❌ Cons / Risks
- In-person procedures still require travel to Howell, MI
- VA patients may need coordination between VA system and private practice billing
- Complex surgical cases may require referral to regional orthopedic centers
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Battle Creek has a really interesting mix of patients — veterans from Fort Custer who have foot and ankle issues that go back decades, manufacturing workers dealing with the daily punishment of concrete floors, and a significant diabetic population that needs attentive wound care. I’m proud that telehealth lets us serve these patients without the barrier of a 90-minute drive. For the veteran community especially, I want them to know we’re here and we respect their service — foot health is foundational to staying mobile and independent.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a podiatrist in Battle Creek, Michigan?
Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC serves Battle Creek and Calhoun County residents through telehealth consultations and in-person appointments at our Howell, MI office. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides expert care for all foot and ankle conditions. Telehealth appointments are available for initial consultations, follow-ups, and prescription management. Call (517) 579-1881 to schedule.
Does the VA in Battle Creek provide podiatry services?
The Battle Creek VA Medical Center offers some podiatric services for eligible veterans. However, wait times and service availability vary. Veterans who are eligible for VA Community Care (MISSION Act) may be able to see Dr. Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle with VA authorization. Contact your VA patient advocate or primary care provider to explore community care options.
What causes heel pain in workers standing on concrete all day?
Prolonged standing on hard surfaces compresses the plantar fascia insertion, causing microtears and inflammation (plantar fasciitis). The fat pad under the heel also thins over time with repetitive impact. Treatment includes cushioning insoles, stretching, anti-inflammatory medication, and activity modification. Dr. Biernacki can prescribe custom orthotics for workers whose occupation prevents adequate rest.
How often should diabetic patients have foot exams in Battle Creek?
The American Diabetes Association recommends comprehensive diabetic foot exams at least annually for all diabetic patients, with more frequent monitoring (every 3–6 months) for those with neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, or prior ulcers. Medicare covers one comprehensive diabetic foot exam per year. Dr. Biernacki provides these exams at our Howell office and can discuss findings via telehealth follow-up for Battle Creek patients.
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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)