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.
Podiatrist Bay City Midland Michigan Balance Foot Ankle treatment | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opvH3qxkW4
Dr. Biernacki discusses comprehensive podiatric care for patients from Bay City, Midland, and the Tri-Cities region of Michigan.
Serving Bay City, Midland, and the Tri-Cities Region
Patients from Bay City, Midland, Saginaw, Essexville, Freeland, and the broader Tri-Cities region of Michigan have a premier foot and ankle specialist available at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell — approximately 75 miles south via US-23 South. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides board-certified podiatric surgical expertise and comprehensive conservative care with same-week appointments and efficient, thorough evaluation.
Conditions Treated for Tri-Cities Patients
Bay City and Midland patients present with conditions typical of Michigan’s industrial and professional workforce. Plantar fasciitis and heel pain — prevalent in Dow Chemical employees, healthcare workers, and retail staff — is comprehensively managed with custom orthotics, shockwave therapy, and injections. Bunion and hammertoe correction with minimally invasive techniques provides lasting results with shorter downtime. Ingrown toenails are permanently resolved in-office under local anesthesia. Diabetic foot care — including routine maintenance, neuropathy screening, wound care, and ulcer prevention — serves the region’s significant diabetic population. Ankle instability, Achilles tendinopathy, stress fractures, and sports injuries from the Great Lakes Bay Region’s active athletic communities are managed with evidence-based protocols.
Surgical Options for Bay City–Midland Patients
When conservative care is insufficient, Dr. Biernacki offers minimally invasive bunion correction, hammertoe fusion, Achilles tendon reconstruction, ankle arthroscopy, total ankle replacement, flatfoot reconstruction, and complex revisional procedures. All surgery is performed at accredited outpatient centers in the Howell/Brighton area with comprehensive post-operative care coordination.
Directions from Bay City to Our Howell Office
From Bay City: Take I-75 South to US-23 South, then exit at Grand River Avenue in Howell (approximately 75 miles, 75 minutes). From Midland: Take M-20 East to US-10 East, then I-75 South to US-23 South to Howell (approximately 80 miles, 80 minutes). Balance Foot & Ankle is at 1590 E. Grand River Ave, Suite 100, Howell, MI 48843. Free parking. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Priority Health, Medicare, and most major Michigan insurance plans. Call (517) 545-FEET.
Why Tri-Cities Patients Make the Drive
Bay City and Midland patients choose Balance Foot & Ankle because Dr. Biernacki’s combination of subspecialty expertise, thorough evaluation, and genuine investment in long-term outcomes is difficult to find closer to home. The drive is worth it for patients who want a definitive diagnosis and a treatment plan that actually resolves their problem — not a rotating series of temporary fixes. Hundreds of patients from mid- and northern Michigan attest to this experience in consistent 5-star reviews.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Spenco Total Support Max Insole
⭐ Highly Rated
Maximum-support OTC insole with firm arch support and deep heel cup — strong interim option for Bay City and Midland patients with plantar fasciitis while awaiting custom orthotics.
Dr. Tom says:“”Spenco Total Support Max is one of the best OTC options for high-volume workers with plantar fasciitis — the firm arch support and deep heel cup together provide meaningful biomechanical correction.” — Dr. Biernacki”
✅ Best for Plantar fasciitis, heel pain, high-arch or neutral foot
⚠️ Not ideal for Severe flatfoot requiring maximum medial arch height
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
Access to board-certified podiatric surgery serving Bay County and Midland County patients without traveling to Detroit or Lansing.
Tri-Cities patients can combine their appointment with errands in the Howell/Brighton area, making the drive worthwhile.
Telehealth follow-up options reduce return visit frequency for established patients after initial in-person evaluation.
❌ Cons / Risks
Drive time of 75–80 minutes from Bay City — significantly more than local options; plan for longer travel days for initial and post-operative appointments.
Post-surgery patients need a driver; plan transportation for day-of and first follow-up appointments.
Dr
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
The Tri-Cities region is a community I respect enormously — the industrial and professional workforce there is resilient and hardworking, and they deserve access to specialist-level foot care when they need it. For the patients who make the drive from Bay City or Midland, I make sure every minute of their time is used productively — thorough evaluation, clear answers, and a treatment plan they can execute with confidence.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth driving from Bay City for a foot condition?
For complex conditions — bunion surgery, Achilles repair, ankle instability, flatfoot reconstruction, or stubborn plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded locally — absolutely yes. For routine ingrown toenails or simple heel pain that hasn’t been evaluated yet, a local podiatrist may be appropriate first. Call our office and describe your condition; we’ll help you determine if the drive is worthwhile for your specific situation.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle offer telehealth for follow-up?
Yes — for established patients with straightforward follow-up needs (reviewing imaging results, adjusting treatment plans, medication management), telehealth visits are available. Initial evaluations and procedures require in-person visits. Call to discuss telehealth availability for your specific situation.
What insurance do most Bay City patients have?
Most Bay City area patients have Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, or Medicare. All of these are accepted at Balance Foot & Ankle. Molina Medicaid and other managed care plans are also accepted — call to verify your specific plan.
Can I schedule multiple family members on the same day?
Yes — families are welcome to schedule consecutive appointments, allowing multiple family members to be seen on the same trip from Bay City or Midland. Call our scheduling team to arrange back-to-back appointments.
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.
No referral is needed to see our podiatrist near Bay City and Midland. You can call or book online directly. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Blue Cross, Medicare, Aetna, Priority Health, and United Healthcare. We treat the full range of foot and ankle conditions including plantar fasciitis, bunions, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care, neuropathy, and sports injuries. Our board-certified DPM provides both conservative and surgical care. Same-week and urgent appointments are available for residents of the Bay City and Midland area.
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.
