Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
Last reviewed: May 2026
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.
Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Cadillac Michigan Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Podiatrist Serving Cadillac, Michigan & Wexford County
Cadillac, Michigan — the hub of Wexford County — sits at the heart of northern lower Michigan’s lake country, nestled between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. Known for its outdoor recreation, thriving downtown, and as the southern gateway to the Manistee National Forest, Cadillac is home to approximately 10,000 residents and draws visitors from across the region year-round. When Cadillac-area residents need specialized foot and ankle care that goes beyond general practice, Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC — led by Dr. Tom Biernacki — provides expert podiatric services to the Wexford County community.
About Balance Foot & Ankle
Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC is a Michigan-based podiatric surgical practice dedicated exclusively to foot and ankle medicine. Dr. Tom Biernacki is a board-qualified podiatric physician and surgeon with advanced training in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, diabetic limb preservation, sports medicine, and minimally invasive procedures. His practice is built on the principle that every patient — whether dealing with a painful bunion, a diabetic foot ulcer, or a complex ankle fracture — deserves the most current, evidence-based care available.
Common Foot & Ankle Conditions Treated
Cadillac-area residents present with the full spectrum of foot and ankle pathology. Active outdoor enthusiasts frequently develop ankle sprains and instability from hiking, hunting, and snowmobiling. The region’s older population deals with bunions, hammertoes, and arthritis aggravated by Michigan’s cold winters. Agricultural and construction workers present with heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and work-related injuries. Dr. Biernacki treats all of these conditions and more:
Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, producing sharp, stabbing discomfort at the bottom of the heel — worst with the first steps of the morning. Most patients respond to a structured program combining custom orthotics, targeted stretching, anti-inflammatory therapy, and night splinting. For persistent cases, Dr. Biernacki offers ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and endoscopic plantar fasciotomy when conservative care has been exhausted.
Bunions & Hammertoes
Bunions (hallux valgus deformities) develop gradually as the big toe drifts toward the second toe, producing a painful bony prominence at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. When wide shoes and orthotics no longer control symptoms, Dr. Biernacki performs modern bunion correction procedures including minimally invasive Lapiplasty 3D correction and traditional Lapidus fusion for severe or recurrent deformities. Hammertoes — contracted second through fifth toes that rub painfully on shoe uppers — are addressed with tendon balancing, proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty, or fusion depending on severity.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes is epidemic in northern Michigan, and diabetic foot complications remain a leading cause of lower limb amputation in the United States. Dr. Biernacki provides comprehensive diabetic foot care including neuropathy assessment, callus debridement, custom diabetic footwear fitting, wound care for ulcerations, and advanced limb salvage surgery for severe infections and Charcot neuroarthropathy. Early, proactive podiatric care prevents the cascade from callus to ulcer to infection to amputation.
Ankle Sprains & Instability
Northern Michigan’s active outdoor lifestyle means ankle sprains are extremely common. Most acute sprains heal with RICE protocol, physical therapy, and bracing. However, patients with chronic ankle instability — recurrent rolling, giving way, and persistent pain from inadequately treated sprains — benefit from the Broström-Gould lateral ankle ligament reconstruction, which restores native ligament anatomy and provides durable stability for return to full outdoor activity.
Ingrown Toenails & Nail Disorders
Ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections (onychomycosis), and thickened nail deformities are among the most common podiatric complaints. Dr. Biernacki performs in-office partial nail avulsion with phenol matrixectomy for permanent correction of recurrent ingrown toenails, and provides oral, topical, and laser treatment options for stubborn fungal nail infections.
Northern Michigan Outdoor Activity & Foot Health
Cadillac is a four-season outdoor recreation destination. Winter brings snowmobiling on the North American SNOCORE trail network, downhill skiing at Caberfae Peaks, and ice fishing on the chain of lakes. Spring and summer invite hiking, mountain biking on the White Pine Trail, kayaking, and tournament fishing. Fall attracts hunters to the surrounding state forests. Each activity carries specific foot and ankle injury risk — from snowmobile boot pressure sores to trail-running stress fractures — and Dr. Biernacki has experience treating athletes and outdoor enthusiasts across the full spectrum of activity levels.
Why Cadillac Patients Choose Balance Foot & Ankle
Northern Michigan residents deserve access to the same subspecialty podiatric care available in major metropolitan areas. Dr. Biernacki brings academic medical center-level surgical training to a patient-centered private practice environment. His patients benefit from same-week consultation scheduling, direct physician access, and a commitment to exhausting conservative options before recommending surgery. For complex cases requiring surgical intervention, Dr. Biernacki performs procedures at accredited ambulatory surgery centers and hospital facilities in his service area.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Cadillac
From Cadillac, Balance Foot & Ankle is approximately a 2-hour drive south via US-131 to M-59 east toward Howell in Livingston County. Many Wexford County patients schedule early morning appointments, allowing a round-trip visit within a half-day. Dr. Biernacki’s team works to minimize appointment wait times and provides all necessary imaging, diagnostics, and treatment planning within a single comprehensive consultation when possible, reducing the need for multiple trips.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you are in the Cadillac area and dealing with foot or ankle pain, don’t let geography be a barrier to expert care. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle at (517) 548-3457 to schedule a consultation. Telehealth consultations are also available for initial evaluations and follow-up visits, allowing Wexford County patients to receive guidance without always making the full drive.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
PowerStep Pinnacle Orthotic Insoles
⭐ Highly Rated
Podiatrist-recommended orthotic insoles providing firm arch support and deep heel cupping. Fits dress shoes, work boots, and athletic shoes — ideal for Cadillac-area residents who spend long hours on their feet outdoors or at work.
Dr. Tom says: “”I put these in my hunting boots and my foot pain during long walks in the field dropped dramatically.””
Plantar fasciitis, arch pain, and everyday foot support in work and outdoor footwear
Patients with severe deformity or diabetic neuropathy should have custom orthotics evaluated
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sparthos Ankle Compression Sleeve
⭐ Highly Rated
Comfortable graduated compression sleeve for ankle sprain recovery, chronic ankle instability, and post-operative swelling. Thin-profile design fits inside athletic shoes and boots for all-day wear.
Dr. Tom says: “”Wore this hiking on the White Pine Trail after my ankle sprain. Great support without limiting my movement.””
Ankle sprain recovery and instability management for active northern Michigan patients
Not appropriate as the sole treatment for acute severe sprains — see a podiatrist for initial evaluation
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Access to subspecialty podiatric surgical care not readily available in smaller northern Michigan communities
- Single comprehensive consultation with X-rays, diagnosis, and treatment planning minimizes return trips
- Telehealth options available for follow-up visits, reducing long-distance travel burden for Cadillac-area patients
- Board-qualified podiatric surgeon with training in reconstructive surgery, diabetic limb salvage, and sports medicine
❌ Cons / Risks
- Drive from Cadillac to Howell is approximately 2 hours — plan for a half-day for in-person visits
- Surgical patients will need multiple postoperative visits, which requires repeated travel commitment
- Northern Michigan winters can make the drive challenging — plan appointments around weather when possible
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
I grew up appreciating the beauty of Michigan’s lakes and forests, and I deeply respect the active, outdoors-focused lifestyle of northern Michigan communities like Cadillac. My patients from Wexford County often tell me they’ve been told ‘just live with it’ by providers closer to home. That’s not acceptable. Whether it’s a complex ankle reconstruction so you can get back on the snowmobile or a diabetic wound threatening your limb, you deserve a specialist who takes your problem seriously.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Balance Foot & Ankle accept patients from Cadillac and Wexford County?
Yes — we regularly see patients from Cadillac, Manton, Mesick, Lake City, Falmouth, Tustin, and surrounding Wexford and Missaukee County communities. We understand the drive is significant and work to make each visit as efficient as possible.
Can I get a telehealth consultation before making the trip from Cadillac?
Absolutely. Dr. Biernacki offers telehealth consultations for initial evaluations and follow-up visits. This allows Cadillac-area patients to discuss their symptoms, review imaging already obtained locally, and determine whether an in-person visit is needed before committing to the drive.
What insurance does Balance Foot & Ankle accept?
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major Michigan insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid/Healthy Michigan. Contact our office at (517) 548-3457 to verify your specific coverage.
Is there a podiatrist closer to Cadillac I should see first?
For routine issues like ingrown toenails or mild heel pain, a local provider may be sufficient. For complex problems — bunion surgery, ankle reconstruction, diabetic limb salvage, or fracture repair — specialized surgical expertise significantly impacts outcomes. Dr. Biernacki is happy to provide a second opinion on treatment plans you’ve already received.
What should I bring to my first appointment from Cadillac?
Bring any X-rays, MRI, or imaging studies you’ve already had (digital copies on CD or a sharing link work well), a list of current medications, your insurance card, and if possible, the shoes you wear most often. Bring any orthotics or braces you currently use so Dr. Biernacki can evaluate their effectiveness.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
4.9★ rated | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills
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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.
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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.