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
Detroit and Wayne County represent the heart of Michigan—a metropolitan area of over 1.8 million residents with diverse healthcare needs across communities ranging from Detroit’s urban neighborhoods to Grosse Pointe’s lakefront estates and Dearborn’s Arab-American community. Balance Foot & Ankle’s Dr. Tom Biernacki serves Detroit and Wayne County patients through comprehensive telehealth consultation and Howell office visits—approximately 65–70 minutes via I-96 west.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Detroit Wayne County Michigan Balance Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Detroit: Complex Urban Foot Health Needs
Detroit’s diverse population includes communities with elevated chronic disease burden—diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are significantly prevalent in many Detroit neighborhoods. Diabetic foot complications including neuropathy, ulceration, and Charcot foot are public health priorities. Detroit’s industrial and service workforce faces occupational foot health challenges. The Detroit Pistons, Detroit Lions (Ford Field), and Detroit Tigers (Comerica Park) professional sports ecosystem creates athlete and sports medicine infrastructure. Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Medical Center, and Detroit Receiving Hospital provide regional healthcare anchors.
Wayne County Communities Served
Balance Foot & Ankle welcomes patients from across Wayne County including Detroit, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Livonia, Westland, Garden City, Wayne, Canton Township, Plymouth, Northville, Romulus, Taylor, and Downriver communities. Each community has distinct demographics and healthcare needs—from Livonia’s older active population to Canton’s young professional families to Plymouth’s upscale athletic community. Telehealth allows Dr. Biernacki to efficiently serve this diverse geographic footprint.
Why Wayne County Patients Choose Balance Foot & Ankle
Wayne County has many local podiatric practitioners. The patients who drive to Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell typically seek: complex surgical consultation not available locally (Lapidus bunion fusion, Charcot reconstruction, ankle replacement evaluation), second opinions before committing to surgery, or the personalized specialist-level experience of a dedicated foot and ankle practice. Telehealth initial consultations allow Dr. Biernacki to assess whether the 65-minute drive will produce meaningful additional value for each patient’s specific condition.
Telehealth and Scheduling
HIPAA-compliant telehealth is the recommended first step for most Wayne County patients. Schedule online at MichiganFootDoctors.com or call (517) 579-1881. In-person Howell visits are recommended for surgical consultations, injectable procedures, imaging-guided evaluations, and custom orthotic fabrication.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Propet Stability Walker Diabetic Therapeutic Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Medicare-eligible therapeutic depth shoe for diabetic patients. Essential for Detroit and Wayne County diabetic patients at risk for foot ulcers and pressure injuries.
Dr. Tom says: “Wayne County diabetic patient—Dr. Biernacki prescribed these through my Medicare benefit via telehealth. No more pressure sores.”
Diabetic patients, therapeutic footwear Medicare benefit, neuropathy, pressure ulcer prevention
Standard athletic or occupational footwear for non-diabetic patients
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
⭐ Highly Rated
Natural topical pain relief for foot and ankle soreness. Recommended for Wayne County patients managing plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and general foot pain.
Dr. Tom says: “Detroit nurse with plantar fasciitis—Doctor Hoy’s gel at the end of long shifts reduced my pain enough to stay working while scheduling my podiatry visit.”
Plantar fasciitis, Achilles soreness, general foot and ankle pain relief between appointments
Open wounds, infection, or conditions requiring urgent medical evaluation
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Telehealth consultation serves Detroit’s 1.8 million Wayne County residents without requiring 65-minute in-person drive for initial assessment
- Comprehensive diabetic foot care program critical for Detroit’s elevated diabetic disease burden
- Complex surgical consultation available for Wayne County patients who have exhausted local options
❌ Cons / Risks
- 65–70 minute I-96 drive from Detroit is significant—telehealth triages which cases genuinely benefit from in-person Howell visit
- Detroit’s excellent medical infrastructure (Henry Ford, DMC) means many Wayne County patients are best served by urban academic medical centers for complex conditions
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Detroit is a city I care deeply about—it’s Michigan’s heartbeat. The healthcare challenges facing many Detroit communities, particularly around diabetes and its complications, represent some of the most important work in podiatric medicine. When a Detroit patient comes to me after years of struggling with a diabetic wound or an unresolved foot problem, I want to provide the best possible care and honest guidance about whether they need me or whether the excellent resources already in Detroit are better suited. My job is to serve each patient’s best interest, not to maximize my own visit count.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Detroit patients get telehealth consultations with Dr. Biernacki?
Yes. HIPAA-compliant telehealth is available for all Detroit and Wayne County patients. Schedule at MichiganFootDoctors.com or call (517) 579-1881. Telehealth initial consultations allow complete history, imaging review, and treatment discussion without requiring the 65-minute I-96 drive to Howell.
Does Dr. Biernacki provide diabetic foot care for Detroit patients?
Yes. Diabetic foot care including telehealth neuropathy assessment, wound care guidance, and in-person office visits for advanced wound management are available. Detroit patients at elevated diabetic foot risk are encouraged to establish preventive foot monitoring. Medicare covers annual diabetic foot exams for qualifying patients.
What Wayne County communities does Balance Foot & Ankle serve?
We serve patients from throughout Wayne County including Detroit, Livonia, Westland, Canton, Plymouth, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Wayne, Romulus, Taylor, Southgate, Wyandotte, Trenton, and Grosse Pointe communities. All are served through telehealth; in-person Howell visits are available for complex surgical and procedural needs.
Is Balance Foot & Ankle part of any Detroit hospital system?
No—Balance Foot & Ankle is an independent podiatric practice in Howell, Michigan. Dr. Biernacki is not affiliated with Detroit hospital systems but can coordinate care and communication with Henry Ford Health, Detroit Medical Center, or other Detroit area providers as needed for complex or multidisciplinary cases.
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.
What is Foot pain?
Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.
Symptoms and warning signs
Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.
Conservative treatment options
Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.
When is surgery considered?
Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.
Recovery timeline and prevention
Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.
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.
Find a Board-Certified Podiatrist (American Podiatric Medical Association)
Ready to Get Relief?
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 Detroit and Wayne County. 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 Detroit and Wayne County 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.