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
Canton Township — one of Michigan’s fastest-growing communities and a hub of western Wayne County — is known for its excellent schools, diverse population, thriving shopping and restaurant corridor along Ford Road, and active community athletic programs. Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle provides comprehensive foot and ankle care for Canton Township patients, accessible via I-275 north and I-96 west to our Livingston County clinic.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Canton Township Michigan Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Foot & Ankle Services for Canton Township Residents
Dr. Biernacki evaluates and treats the complete spectrum of foot and ankle conditions affecting Canton Township patients: plantar fasciitis and heel spur syndrome, bunions and hallux valgus deformity, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, diabetic foot care and neuropathy, ankle sprains and chronic instability, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, Morton’s neuroma, forefoot pain, and arthritis of the foot and ankle. Custom orthotics, cortisone injections, nail procedures, and shockwave therapy are all available in-office.
Canton Township’s Diverse Community Foot Care Needs
Canton Township’s large, diverse population — including a significant South Asian community, active young families, established professionals, and a growing senior population — creates varied foot care needs across age groups and activity levels. Dr. Biernacki’s practice serves Canton Township patients from youth athletes managing ankle sprains and growth plate injuries, to active adults dealing with plantar fasciitis and bunions, to seniors requiring diabetic foot surveillance and nail care. Every patient receives the same evidence-based, thorough approach regardless of age or condition complexity.
Diabetic Foot Care for Wayne County Patients
Wayne County has one of Michigan’s highest rates of diabetes-related amputations, reflecting the significant burden of poorly controlled diabetes in the region. Dr. Biernacki provides preventive diabetic foot care for Canton Township patients: annual comprehensive exams, monofilament sensory testing, vascular assessment and referral coordination, nail and callus debridement, and Medicare-covered therapeutic footwear for qualifying patients. Early podiatric intervention consistently reduces amputation rates in diabetic foot patient populations.
About Canton Township, Michigan
Canton Township (population approximately 100,000) is the most populous township in Michigan and one of the top 20 largest municipalities in the state. Located along I-275 in western Wayne County, Canton is bordered by Ann Arbor to the west, Plymouth to the north, and Westland to the east. The township is served by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and offers extensive recreational facilities, parks, and community programs supporting its diverse and active population. Our Howell clinic is approximately 25-30 minutes north via I-275 and I-96.
Bunion and Hammertoe Treatment
Bunions and hammertoes are among the most common structural foot deformities treated in Canton Township patients. Dr. Biernacki provides conservative management with wide toe-box footwear, custom orthotics, and bunion splints as first-line treatment. When conservative care fails and the deformity limits daily function and quality of life, modern surgical correction — using minimally invasive or traditional osteotomy techniques — provides reliable long-term alignment correction with high patient satisfaction rates.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
New Balance 990v5 Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Podiatrist-recommended classic stability running shoe with premium cushioning and durable construction — a top choice for Canton Township patients managing plantar fasciitis, mild overpronation, and general foot pain during daily walking and running. Made in USA quality with wide width availability for bunion-friendly fit.
Dr. Tom says: “”My podiatrist recommended New Balance 990v5 for my plantar fasciitis and wide feet — the extra width eliminated the bunion pressure and the cushioning resolved my heel pain within weeks.””
Plantar fasciitis management, mild overpronation, wide foot accommodation for bunion patients, Canton Township running community
Stability shoe — significant overpronators may need custom orthotics for full biomechanical correction
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Dr. Frederick’s Original Bunion Corrector Splint
⭐ Highly Rated
Toe separator and bunion corrector splint for overnight and rest-period use to help maintain first toe alignment and reduce bunion pain. Used by podiatrists as a conservative adjunct to footwear modification for mild to moderate hallux valgus in Canton Township patients.
Dr. Tom says: “”My podiatrist recommended a toe separator splint for my mild bunion — using it nightly reduced my morning big toe stiffness and helped me delay the surgical decision significantly.””
Mild to moderate bunion conservative management, overnight toe alignment maintenance, bunion pain reduction between activities
Bunion splints maintain alignment during use but do not permanently correct hallux valgus deformity — surgery is required for structural correction
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- No referral required — direct-access podiatric specialty care for Canton Township and western Wayne County patients
- Accessible from Canton Township via I-275 north to I-96 west in approximately 25-30 minutes
- Full spectrum of care from conservative management through surgical correction within one specialized practice
- Most major Michigan insurance plans accepted including Medicare and Medicaid
❌ Cons / Risks
- Canton Township patients traveling to Howell for surgical care will need multiple post-operative follow-up visits over 6-12 weeks
- Some specialized imaging may be available at Wayne County facilities closer to Canton — referrals provided based on patient convenience
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Canton Township is Michigan’s largest township by population, and the foot health needs of 100,000 people are considerable. I see Canton Township patients across the full spectrum: young athletes from Plymouth-Canton Schools with ankle sprains, adults in their 40s and 50s dealing with bunions and plantar fasciitis, diabetic patients who need consistent preventive care to avoid the serious complications that are unfortunately common in Wayne County’s diabetic population. Regardless of age, condition, or insurance status, every Canton Township patient gets the same thing from us: the right diagnosis, an honest explanation of their options, and a treatment plan designed for their specific situation. The drive from Canton to Howell is about 25-30 minutes on I-275 — a reasonable investment to see a podiatric specialist who will actually solve your foot problem.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you treat patients from Canton Township?
Yes. Balance Foot & Ankle serves Canton Township and all of western Wayne County. Our Howell clinic is accessible via I-275 north to I-96 west in approximately 25-30 minutes. New patients can call (517) 482-5000 or book online at michiganfootdoctors.com.
Is a referral required?
No referral is needed. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts direct appointments from new patients throughout western Wayne County without a primary care referral.
Do you accept Medicare for Canton Township seniors?
Yes. Medicare is accepted and covers medically necessary podiatric services including diabetic foot exams, nail debridement for qualifying nail conditions, custom therapeutic footwear for diabetic patients, and surgical procedures when indicated.
Do you see children for foot problems from Plymouth-Canton Schools?
Yes. Dr. Biernacki treats pediatric and youth athlete foot conditions including Sever’s disease (heel pain in growing athletes), ingrown toenails, flat feet, in-toeing, and ankle sprains. Plymouth-Canton student athletes are welcome patients.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
4.9★ rated | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills
📞 (810) 206-1402 Book Online →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.
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
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Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
📋 Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS answers:
No referral is needed to see our podiatrist near Canton Township. 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 Canton Township 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.