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
Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Birmingham — Oakland County’s active inner-ring suburbs with active professional communities, young families, and health-conscious residents — deserve easy access to board-certified podiatric expertise. Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Berkley, Pleasant Ridge, Clawson, and surrounding southeastern Oakland County with comprehensive foot and ankle medicine and surgery.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Ferndale Royal Oak Birmingham Michigan Oakland County Balance Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Foot & Ankle Care for Southeastern Oakland County
Balance Foot & Ankle provides a full spectrum of podiatric services for Ferndale and Royal Oak area patients including plantar fasciitis and heel pain treatment, bunion and hammertoe correction with minimally invasive techniques, ingrown toenail permanent correction, diabetic foot care, ankle sprain and instability treatment, Achilles tendinopathy, sports injuries, flat foot management, toenail fungus treatment, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.
Royal Oak’s Active Running and Fitness Community
Royal Oak and Ferndale are home to a particularly active population — runners, cyclists, fitness enthusiasts, and young professionals who demand foot and ankle care from a specialist who understands athletic demands. Dr. Biernacki’s sports medicine expertise and YouTube education resources have made him a trusted resource for Oakland County’s active community. Whether it’s a plantar fasciitis flare from the Woodward Dream Cruise training run or an ankle sprain from Ferndale’s bike paths, Dr. Biernacki provides evidence-based care that gets patients back to their active lifestyles quickly.
Call (810) 955-5700 to schedule. Most major insurance plans accepted including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, and United Healthcare.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Saucony Kinvara Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Lightweight neutral running shoe with cushioning and low heel-to-toe drop — popular among Royal Oak and Ferndale area runners seeking a fast, responsive daily trainer.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist cleared me to run in these after my stress fracture recovery — light and comfortable for my daily miles.”
Best for: neutral runners in Royal Oak and Ferndale managing return to running post-injury; low-drop daily training shoe
Not ideal for: moderate-to-severe overpronators needing stability control
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Trigger Point Massage Ball
⭐ Highly Rated
Textured massage ball for plantar fascia rolling and arch release — used by Royal Oak and Ferndale runners as part of daily plantar fasciitis home management.
Dr. Tom says: “Essential part of my morning routine — rolling the arch before getting out of bed cut my first-step pain in half.”
Best for: plantar fasciitis self-management; pre-run arch preparation; Ferndale/Royal Oak active patient home care
Not ideal for: plantar fibromatosis nodules where direct pressure worsens symptoms
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Board-certified sports medicine podiatry expertise suited to Royal Oak and Ferndale’s highly active population
- Minimally invasive bunion surgery options with rapid recovery meet Birmingham and Royal Oak patient expectations
- Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and most major Oakland County insurance plans accepted
❌ Cons / Risks
- Travel to the nearest Balance Foot & Ankle office may be required — call (810) 955-5700 for closest location
- High demand from Oakland County’s large active population may extend scheduling for elective cases
- Complex surgical cases may require specific facility coordination
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Royal Oak and Ferndale have a young, active population that takes their fitness seriously — a lot of runners, cyclists, yoga practitioners. When they get a foot injury, they want to get back to their activity as quickly as possible with the right treatment, not just told to rest for six months. I try to give them the real picture: what the injury is, what the evidence says about recovery, and the fastest safe path back to what they love doing.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Biernacki serve Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Birmingham?
Yes — Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from southeastern Oakland County. Call (810) 955-5700.
Does Dr. Biernacki accept Blue Cross Blue Shield for Royal Oak patients?
Yes — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, United Healthcare, and most major plans are accepted.
Can Dr. Biernacki treat running injuries for Ferndale area athletes?
Yes — plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, and ankle sprains are core specialties for active patients.
Does Dr. Biernacki perform minimally invasive bunion surgery?
Yes — minimally invasive bunion correction with rapid recovery is available for Birmingham and Royal Oak patients.
How quickly can southeastern Oakland County patients get appointments?
Urgent problems within 24–48 hours; routine appointments within 1–2 weeks. Call (810) 955-5700.
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.
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 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.