Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI Last reviewed: May 2026
MICHIGAN PODIATRIST INSIGHT
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.
Podiatrist Lowell Ada Michigan Kent County East Balance Foot Ankle treatment | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opvH3qxkW4
Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from Lowell, Ada, and the eastern Grand Rapids suburbs.
Foot and Ankle Care for Lowell, Ada, and East Kent County
Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from Lowell, Ada, and eastern Kent County at our Howell, Michigan location. The affluent, active eastern Grand Rapids suburbs are home to competitive athletes, avid golfers, runners, and health-conscious families who demand high-quality, evidence-based foot and ankle care. Dr. Biernacki’s fellowship training and surgical expertise make our practice a destination for eastern Kent County residents seeking subspecialty care without traveling into the city.
Active Community Services
The Lowell-Ada corridor is home to active families, competitive youth athletes, and adult recreational athletes. We provide sports injury management with musculoskeletal ultrasound, custom orthotics for running and cleated sports, PRP therapy for recalcitrant tendon conditions, and minimally invasive surgical procedures with rapid recovery. Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, ankle instability, and Morton’s neuroma are among the most common presentations from this community.
Comprehensive Conservative and Surgical Care
Our practice covers the full treatment spectrum. Conservative first-line care includes custom orthotics, corticosteroid and PRP injections, bracing, and physical therapy referral. Surgical options include minimally invasive bunion correction, Lapidus procedure, ankle arthroscopy, Brostrom stabilization, peroneal tendon repair, Achilles reconstruction, Morton’s neuroma excision, and total ankle replacement. We provide straightforward, honest guidance on when surgery is and is not appropriate.
Getting to Howell from Lowell and Ada
Our Howell clinic is approximately 1 hour from Lowell and Ada via I-96 East — accessible for both initial consultations and follow-up visits. We offer flexible scheduling to minimize travel disruption. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (Priority Health), Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid. Call (517) 579-4800 or visit MichiganFootDoctors.com.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
On Running Cloudstratus 3 Stability Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Premium Swiss running shoe with CloudTec cushioning and moderate stability — ideal for Ada and Lowell runners seeking high-performance footwear that accommodates orthotics.
Dr. Tom says:“Roomy toe box and removable insole accommodate custom orthotics — podiatrist-compatible design for runners who need both performance and biomechanical support.”
✅ Best for High-performance running with custom orthotic compatibility
⚠️ Not ideal for Premium price point — significant investment for serious runners
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
1 hour from Lowell/Ada — practical for eastern Grand Rapids suburbs.
Sports medicine and surgical expertise for the active community.
PRP therapy and ultrasound-guided procedures for competitive athletes.
Priority Health and all major insurance accepted.
❌ Cons / Risks
1-hour drive to Howell — some patients prefer Grand Rapids-based providers for convenience.
Surgical cases require multiple visits.
Dr
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Ada and Lowell have some of the most athletically active patients I see — runners, cyclists, competitive youth sports families. They do their research, they ask great questions, and they expect results. That’s my kind of patient. I’ll give you the honest evidence-based treatment plan — no unnecessary surgery, but also no ‘just live with it’ when a solution exists.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a foot and ankle specialist near Ada or Lowell?
General podiatric services are available in the Grand Rapids area. For subspecialty surgical care — MIS bunionectomy, ankle replacement, Achilles reconstruction — patients from Lowell and Ada travel 1 hour to our Howell clinic for fellowship-trained expertise.
Do you offer PRP injections for athletes from the Lowell area?
Yes — platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are offered for chronic Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and other tendon conditions that haven’t responded to conservative treatment. Popular among competitive athletes who need durable healing without surgery.
Can you make custom orthotics for cleats and running shoes?
Yes — we fabricate sport-specific orthotics for running shoes, cycling shoes, cleats, and golf shoes. Each orthotic is designed to fit the specific footwear and address the biomechanical demands of the sport.
How quickly can I get seen?
New patients typically within 1–2 weeks. Urgent or acute concerns within 24–48 hours. Call (517) 579-4800.
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Township. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
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.
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.
Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons are affiliated with Trinity Health Michigan, Corewell Health, and Henry Ford Health — three of Michigan’s largest health systems.
