Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Balance Foot & Ankle serves Southwest Michigan patients including Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, and surrounding communities. Our Howell, MI location is approximately 75–90 minutes from Kalamazoo via I-94 East. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides expert podiatric care including bunion correction, plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, diabetic foot care, and custom orthotics. Call (517) 579-FOOT for your appointment.
Foot & Ankle Care for Kalamazoo & Southwest Michigan
Kalamazoo and the broader Southwest Michigan region — home to Western Michigan University, a vibrant healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, and active outdoor communities along the Kalamazoo River and the many trail systems of Southwest Michigan — generates significant demand for subspecialty foot and ankle care. Balance Foot & Ankle serves Southwest Michigan patients who seek the expertise of a dedicated foot-and-ankle specialist for complex conditions or procedures not readily available locally.
Dr. Tom Biernacki provides comprehensive podiatric care with subspecialty focus on foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, and complex reconstructive procedures. Kalamazoo patients who make the approximately 75–90 minute trip via I-94 East receive focused, individualized attention from a specialist whose practice is exclusively dedicated to foot and ankle conditions.
Services for Southwest Michigan Patients
Bunion correction — Kalamazoo patients seeking MICA minimally invasive bunionectomy or Lapidus bunionectomy find these modern approaches available at Balance Foot & Ankle. MICA uses tiny percutaneous incisions and fluoroscopic guidance for precise bone correction with minimal soft tissue disruption and faster recovery.
Second opinions — Southwest Michigan patients considering major foot or ankle surgery — total ankle replacement, hindfoot fusion, complex bunion reconstruction, or Charcot foot surgery — benefit from an independent evaluation to confirm diagnosis and explore all treatment options.
Complex ankle and foot conditions — chronic ankle instability, adult acquired flatfoot, Achilles tendon disorders, and peroneal tendon pathology are core surgical specialties that may not be available at all Southwest Michigan practices.
Diabetic foot care — comprehensive preventive and wound care services for Southwest Michigan’s diabetic patients, including Charcot foot management, wound debridement, and vascular coordination.
Sports medicine — WMU athletes and Kalamazoo’s active community benefit from sport-specific foot and ankle management with evidence-based return-to-activity protocols.
Serving Kalamazoo, Portage & Battle Creek
From Kalamazoo, Howell is approximately 75–90 minutes via I-94 East. Portage patients are similarly accessible, and Battle Creek is approximately 60–75 minutes. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, HAP, McLaren, and Medicare. Call (517) 579-FOOT to schedule.
Book Your Southwest Michigan Appointment
If you’re a Kalamazoo or Southwest Michigan patient seeking subspecialty foot and ankle care, call Balance Foot & Ankle at (517) 579-FOOT or request your appointment online. Our team will verify your insurance coverage and find the best appointment time for your travel schedule — we understand that our Southwest Michigan patients often block out a full morning or afternoon for their visit.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Salomon Speedcross Trail Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Purpose-built trail running shoe for Southwest Michigan’s varied terrain — recommended for Kalamazoo and Portage trail runners who need aggressive outsole grip and lateral stability.
Dr. Tom says: “Best trail running shoe for Southwest Michigan runners”
Trail runners on mixed terrain with ankle stability needs
Not for road running — trail-specific outsole wears quickly on pavement
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
CURREX RunPro Insoles Medium Arch
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Biomechanically profiled running insoles for Southwest Michigan athletes — medium arch profile suits the most common foot type and provides responsive support during road and trail running.
Dr. Tom says: “Best running insole for Kalamazoo area athletes”
Runners and walkers with medium arch and mild foot pain
High or low arch patients need specific profile — consult Dr. Biernacki
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Cho-Pat Achilles Tendon Strap
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Compression strap reduces Achilles tendon loading force during activity — helpful for Southwest Michigan athletes managing non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy during conservative rehabilitation.
Dr. Tom says: “Best Achilles strap for tendinopathy management during activity”
Athletes with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy
Not for insertional Achilles pain or Haglund’s deformity
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Subspecialty foot and ankle care for complex Southwest Michigan cases
- Second opinion consultations for Kalamazoo patients before major foot surgery decisions
- MICA and Lapidus bunionectomy — modern minimally invasive options
- Major Michigan insurance accepted including BCBS, Priority Health, and Medicare
❌ Cons / Risks
- Drive from Kalamazoo to Howell is approximately 75–90 minutes via I-94 East
- Post-operative follow-up requires return travel to Howell
- Not a primary care podiatry practice — focused on complex and surgical cases
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Southwest Michigan patients who make the drive to Howell are typically looking for something specific — a second opinion before a major surgery, a procedure that requires subspecialty expertise, or care for a complex condition. I appreciate that these patients have done their homework and I try to provide consultations that are thorough enough to justify the trip. Even if we agree with a prior treatment recommendation, having that independent confirmation gives patients confidence to move forward.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should Kalamazoo patients consider traveling to Balance Foot & Ankle?
Southwest Michigan patients typically seek us out for second opinions before major surgery, access to specific procedures like MICA minimally invasive bunionectomy, subspecialty evaluation of complex conditions, or to work with a dedicated foot and ankle specialist rather than a general podiatry practice. Many find the 75–90 minute trip worthwhile for these specialized needs.
Do you offer second opinion consultations for Kalamazoo patients?
Absolutely — second opinion consultations are a core service. We perform a fresh clinical examination, review existing imaging (and take new weight-bearing X-rays if needed), and provide our independent assessment and recommendations. This is particularly valuable before major surgery decisions.
What types of bunion surgery do you offer?
We offer MICA (Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin) bunionectomy for standard to moderate bunion deformities, and Lapidus bunionectomy (tarsometatarsal fusion) for hypermobile first ray, severe deformities, or cases where traditional osteotomy has a high recurrence risk. The appropriate procedure is selected based on X-ray measurements and patient-specific factors.
Can you manage Achilles tendon problems for Southwest Michigan athletes?
Yes — both non-insertional and insertional Achilles tendinopathy, Achilles tendon tears (partial and complete), and Haglund’s deformity with retrocalcaneal bursitis are treated at Balance Foot & Ankle. We provide both conservative management including PRP injection and surgical options including Achilles debridement, repair, and calcaneal exostectomy.
What insurance do you accept for Southwest Michigan patients?
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, HAP, McLaren, and Medicare. Coverage for Southwest Michigan patients is the same as for our local patients — call (517) 579-FOOT to verify your specific plan before your visit.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
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Same-week appointments · Howell & Bloomfield Hills
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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon 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 reached over one million views.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)