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.
For a podiatrist near Inkster, MI — Balance Foot & Ankle’s Bloomfield Hills location accepts most major insurance plans and offers same-day appointments.
You’re in the right place. Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — board-certified foot & ankle surgeon with 3,000+ surgeries — explains exactly what a podiatrist near Inkster, MI means and what works. Call (810) 206-1402 for same-day appointment at Howell or Bloomfield Hills.
Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Inkster Michigan Balance Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Podiatric Care for Inkster and Central Wayne County
Inkster residents and those in surrounding central Wayne County communities — Westland, Garden City, Dearborn Heights, and Wayne — have access to comprehensive podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides expert foot and ankle care for all patients, with a particular commitment to serving communities where access to specialized healthcare can be challenging.
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans and Medicare, ensuring that Inkster-area patients have genuine access to the quality foot care they deserve. Same-week new patient appointments are routinely available, and urgent foot problems are typically seen within 24–48 hours.
Services for Inkster Foot and Ankle Patients
Balance Foot & Ankle provides the following core services for Inkster and central Wayne County patients. Heel pain evaluation and treatment addresses the full spectrum of causes — plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, heel spur syndrome — with evidence-based protocols that achieve relief in the vast majority of patients. Diabetic foot care is a priority service given the significant rates of diabetes in this community — annual exams, neuropathy and vascular screening, nail and skin care, and wound management are provided.
Nail care services include professional ingrown toenail treatment — including permanent surgical correction — and toenail fungus evaluation and management. Forefoot care addresses bunions, hammertoes, and neuromas both conservatively and surgically. Custom orthotics are prescribed for patients with biomechanical contributors to chronic pain. Ankle care encompasses sprain management, instability treatment, and tendon repair.
Diabetic Foot Care for Inkster Residents
Inkster and central Wayne County have high rates of type 2 diabetes — reflecting broader health disparities in urban Michigan. Diabetic foot complications — including peripheral neuropathy, ulcers, and infection — are among the leading causes of hospitalization and non-traumatic amputation in this population. Dr. Biernacki is committed to making preventive diabetic foot care accessible to Inkster-area patients.
Annual diabetic foot exams are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. At each visit, neuropathy is assessed with monofilament testing, circulation is evaluated, and skin and nails are inspected. Professional nail care for diabetic patients reduces the risk of ingrown nails and infections that could escalate in the setting of neuropathy. Calluses are debrided at each visit — pre-ulcerative calluses are among the most important preventable precursors to diabetic foot ulcers. Patients who cannot afford therapeutic diabetic shoes should ask Dr. Biernacki about the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill — a fully covered benefit that the majority of eligible patients never use.
Heel Pain Treatment for Inkster Patients
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in Inkster patients. The condition — causing stabbing pain with the first steps of the morning and after prolonged rest — affects workers in Inkster’s manufacturing, healthcare, and service sectors, as well as active adults and parents. Without treatment, plantar fasciitis typically becomes a chronic, worsening problem that significantly limits quality of life.
At Balance Foot & Ankle, heel pain is addressed comprehensively: clinical examination and on-site digital X-rays establish the diagnosis, and a customized treatment plan is provided at the first visit. Most patients achieve significant improvement within 6–8 weeks of starting the stretching protocol, night splint use, and orthotic support. For cases that don’t respond, ultrasound-guided injection therapy provides targeted relief without systemic medication side effects.
Schedule from Inkster or Central Wayne County
Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC welcomes new patients from Inkster, Wayne, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all of central Wayne County. Same-week appointments are available for most conditions. Dr. Tom Biernacki and his team are committed to providing high-quality, accessible podiatric care for every patient, regardless of complexity or insurance status.
Call our office or request an appointment online at MichiganFootDoctors.com. We accept most major insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid, and our team will help you navigate any coverage questions before your visit.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Skechers GOwalk Arch Fit Slip-On
⭐ Highly Rated
Podiatrist-designed orthotic insole walking shoe by Skechers and Dr. Phillip Vasyli. Provides exceptional arch support and cushioning in an easy-to-wear slip-on.
Dr. Tom says: “An accessible, affordable footwear option for Inkster patients with heel pain and flat feet — podiatrist-designed arch support in a practical everyday shoe.”
Patients with heel pain or flat feet needing affordable orthotic footwear for everyday use
Patients requiring custom orthotics for complex biomechanical correction
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Profoot Diabetic Walking Insole
⭐ Highly Rated
Extra-cushioning diabetic insole with memory foam and gel heel pad. Provides pressure distribution and shock absorption for diabetic feet in standard footwear.
Dr. Tom says: “A practical OTC option for Inkster diabetic patients needing immediate foot cushioning — reduces plantar pressure in standard shoes between orthotic appointments.”
Diabetic patients needing immediate cushioning in standard shoes
Patients with active ulcers or severe neuropathy — see Dr. Biernacki for therapeutic footwear
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Inkster is a community I care about. Access to quality healthcare has historically been a challenge in this area, and I want Inkster-area patients to know that Balance Foot & Ankle is here for them. We accept Medicare and Medicaid, we offer same-week appointments, and we provide the same level of care for every patient regardless of their insurance or socioeconomic situation. Foot pain is debilitating, diabetes complications are serious, and every patient deserves a podiatrist who treats them with dignity and expertise. That’s what we do.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a podiatrist near Inkster, Michigan?
Yes — Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC serves Inkster and central Wayne County patients. Dr. Tom Biernacki accepts new patients and offers same-week appointments for most conditions. We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle accept Medicare for Inkster patients?
Yes. We accept Medicare Part B, which covers podiatric services including diabetic foot exams, nail care for patients with systemic conditions, and custom orthotics when medically necessary. The Medicare Therapeutic Shoe benefit for diabetic footwear is also available through our clinic.
Does Dr. Biernacki treat diabetic foot problems for Inkster patients?
Yes. Diabetic foot care is one of our most important services for the Inkster community. Annual exams, neuropathy screening, wound management, and preventive nail and skin care are provided. Dr. Biernacki coordinates with primary care and specialists for complex diabetic foot cases.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle treat ingrown toenails for Inkster patients?
Yes. Ingrown toenail treatment — including permanent partial nail matrixectomy — is available. Most procedures are performed in the office under local anesthesia and provide immediate relief with a 95% success rate for preventing recurrence.
How quickly can Inkster patients get a podiatry appointment?
Same-week appointments are routinely available for new patients from Inkster and central Wayne County. Urgent conditions including infected ingrown toenails and acute foot wounds are typically accommodated within 24–48 hours.
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.