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
Jackson and Lenawee County represent south-central Michigan communities that often travel significant distances for specialty medical care—including podiatry. Balance Foot & Ankle, led by Dr. Tom Biernacki, is accessible from Jackson and Lenawee County via I-94 and US-23 and provides the expert foot and ankle care that south-central Michigan patients deserve without driving to Ann Arbor or Detroit for every appointment.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Jackson Lenawee 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.
Comprehensive Podiatric Care for South-Central Michigan
Balance Foot & Ankle provides the full range of podiatric medicine and surgery for Jackson and Lenawee County patients: heel pain and plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle sprains and fractures, bunions and hammertoes, ingrown and fungal toenails, diabetic foot exams and wound care, flat feet and custom orthotics, sports injuries, nerve entrapments, and foot and ankle surgery. We provide individualized evaluation and care—not assembly-line treatment—to every patient.
Diabetic Foot Care for Jackson & Lenawee County
Jackson and Lenawee County have elevated diabetes prevalence relative to southeast Michigan averages—making expert diabetic foot surveillance one of the most critical services we provide to these communities. Dr. Biernacki provides comprehensive annual diabetic foot exams with neurological screening, vascular assessment, wound care, and Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program enrollment. Preventing diabetic ulceration and amputation through proactive surveillance is the most impactful thing a podiatrist can do for at-risk communities.
Sports Foot Care for South-Central Michigan Athletes
Jackson County’s active athletic community—from Jackson High School and Western High School athletes to adult recreational sports participants—presents with the full spectrum of sports-related foot and ankle injuries. Dr. Biernacki provides comprehensive evaluation, imaging interpretation, and return-to-sport protocols for ankle sprains, metatarsal stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and Sever’s disease in young athletes. We understand competitive athletic timelines and build treatment plans around them when possible.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Jackson
Balance Foot & Ankle is accessible from Jackson via I-94 East and US-23 North, and from Lenawee County via US-223 and US-23. Drive time from Jackson is approximately 40–50 minutes. Same-week appointments are available for urgent concerns. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, HAP, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare Part B, and Medicaid. Our team verifies insurance coverage before your appointment. The quality of care makes the drive worthwhile—and we offer telehealth follow-ups for established patients to minimize repeat trips.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Aetrex L400 Customizable Orthotic — Diabetic Arch Support
⭐ Highly Rated
Aetrex L400 orthotics are clinician-preferred for diabetic patients due to their heat-moldable deep heel cup, metatarsal pad, and soft accommodative top cover—reducing peak plantar pressure points in neuropathic feet. Available in multiple arch heights. Used as a transitional device for Jackson and Lenawee County diabetic patients while awaiting custom diabetic orthotics.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist recommended these for my diabetic feet while my custom orthotics were being made. They reduced my callus pressure significantly and my skin integrity improved.”
Best for: Diabetic patients needing accommodative orthotic support; pressure redistribution in neuropathic feet
Not ideal for: Athletic use requiring biomechanical correction; replace custom orthotics for significant deformity
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Copper Compression Ankle Sleeve — Post-Sprain Support
⭐ Highly Rated
Copper-infused graduated compression ankle sleeve provides mild support and edema control for Grade I ankle sprains and post-injury management during return to activity. The graduated compression reduces swelling and provides proprioceptive feedback without restricting range of motion. Useful for Jackson and Lenawee County athletes during the subacute recovery phase.
Dr. Tom says: “I sprained my ankle at a Jackson soccer game and wore this during the rest of the season. It reduced my swelling and gave me confidence without restricting movement.”
Best for: Mild ankle sprains during return to activity; proprioceptive support for chronic ankle instability management
Not ideal for: Acute Grade II/III sprains requiring rigid bracing; patients with arterial insufficiency or severe edema
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Accessible from Jackson and Lenawee County via I-94 and US-23—approximately 40–50 minutes drive
- Telehealth follow-up visits available for established south-central Michigan patients to minimize repeat drives
- Diabetic foot program with Medicare enrollment for Jackson and Lenawee County’s underserved diabetic population
❌ Cons / Risks
- Drive time from Jackson (~45 minutes) is longer than metro Detroit communities—plan travel accordingly
- Custom orthotics require an in-person casting appointment plus 2–3 week fabrication
- Surgical procedures require in-person pre-op consultation and outpatient facility access
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
South-central Michigan is underserved for specialty podiatric care, and Jackson and Lenawee County patients who make the drive to see us deserve our best work. We’re not going to rush a patient who drove 45 minutes to get there. These patients get the same thorough evaluation and real treatment as our Macomb County regulars. The telehealth follow-up option makes the ongoing relationship practical—initial evaluation in person, follow-ups by video for established patients.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Balance Foot & Ankle worth the drive from Jackson?
Our Jackson and Lenawee County patients consistently say yes. You get a thorough evaluation, an accurate diagnosis, and a real treatment plan—not a brief visit that ends with generic advice. For complex conditions (diabetic wounds, surgical consultation, custom orthotics), the expertise difference makes the drive clearly worthwhile.
Do you offer telehealth for Jackson County patients?
Yes. Established patients from Jackson and Lenawee County can schedule telehealth follow-up visits for non-urgent concerns—wound photo reviews, medication questions, orthotic adjustments, and post-surgical check-ins that don’t require physical examination. This significantly reduces the number of long drives required for ongoing care.
What podiatric services are available for Jackson County Medicaid patients?
We accept Medicaid/Healthy Michigan Plan. Medicaid covers diabetic foot exams, medically necessary nail care, wound care, and podiatric surgery when indicated. Our billing team verifies coverage specifics for each patient before their appointment.
Can you treat a child’s Sever’s disease from the Lenawee County area?
Yes. Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever’s disease) is one of the most common reasons families travel to see us from outlying counties. Diagnosis is clinical and treatment is straightforward—heel cups and a stretching protocol that parents can implement at home, minimizing return visits. Most children improve significantly within 2 weeks of starting treatment.
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.