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
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Memphis Michigan 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 Memphis and Northern Macomb County
Memphis is a small village in the rural northern reaches of Macomb County, surrounded by agricultural land and close-knit farming communities. Residents of Memphis, Emmett Township, Columbus Township, and neighboring St. Clair County border areas often travel significant distances for specialty medical care. Balance Foot & Ankle makes that trip worthwhile — offering comprehensive, expert podiatric evaluation and treatment in a single efficient visit whenever possible.
Who We Serve in the Memphis Area
Our Memphis-area patients range from agricultural workers and tradespeople who spend long hours on their feet, to youth athletes from Memphis Community Schools, to seniors managing diabetes and arthritis. Dr. Biernacki understands that time is a precious commodity in rural communities — he runs his practice with respect for your schedule, minimizing unnecessary return visits and providing clear, actionable treatment plans from the first appointment.
Foot and Ankle Conditions We Treat
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs: Stabbing heel pain first thing in the morning is the hallmark of plantar fasciitis — the most common condition we treat. Dr. Biernacki’s protocol combines targeted stretching, custom orthotics, and where needed shockwave therapy or corticosteroid injection. Most patients are significantly improved within 6–8 weeks.
Work-Related Foot Injuries: Agricultural and trade workers in the Memphis area face unique hazards — heavy machinery, uneven terrain, prolonged standing. Dr. Biernacki evaluates and treats work-related conditions including stress fractures, tendon injuries, nail avulsions, and post-traumatic arthritis. Workers’ compensation cases are accepted.
Diabetic Foot Management: Rural Macomb County communities have elevated rates of type 2 diabetes. Preventive diabetic foot care — annual exams, neuropathy screening, prescription diabetic footwear — is essential for preventing the complications that account for a significant proportion of lower extremity amputations. Dr. Biernacki provides these services comprehensively.
Ankle Injuries: Ankle sprains, fractures, and chronic instability are common in athletes and outdoor workers. We provide same-day imaging interpretation, proper immobilization, and return-to-activity planning tailored to your work and sport demands.
Skin and Nail Conditions: Ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, plantar warts, corns, and calluses are addressed efficiently at routine office visits, often resolving in a single appointment.
Pediatric Foot Problems: Sever’s disease, flat feet, in-toeing, and toe-walking are common referrals from local pediatricians for school-age children in the Memphis community. Dr. Biernacki has extensive experience with pediatric foot conditions and makes clinic visits manageable for families with young children.
Directions to Balance Foot & Ankle from Memphis
From Memphis, take M-19 South or I-94 West to M-53 South, then connect to I-96 West toward Brighton/Howell. Alternatively, M-21 West provides a direct route to our area. Drive time is approximately 50–60 minutes depending on your exact starting point and route. Our Howell office on Grand River Avenue has ample free parking. We also serve northern Macomb County patients from our Hartland location, which may reduce drive time via US-23 from the I-94 corridor.
Insurance and Accessibility
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, Aetna, United Healthcare, and most commercial insurance plans. For patients without insurance, we offer self-pay rates and can discuss payment plans for necessary procedures. Our scheduling team ensures all coverage questions are answered before your appointment so there are no billing surprises.
Book Your Appointment
Memphis residents can call (810) 588-0579 or visit michiganfootdoctors.com to schedule online. We offer early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments to accommodate rural residents who cannot easily take weekday time off. Same-day appointments are available for urgent problems like infected nails or acute ankle injuries.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Aetrex Lynco L400 Orthotic Insoles
⭐ Highly Rated
Medical-grade over-the-counter orthotics with full-length arch support and deep heel cup. Suitable for work boots and athletic shoes worn by Memphis-area agricultural and trade workers.
Dr. Tom says: “These fit perfectly in my work boots. My heel pain went away after years of suffering on concrete floors.”
Plantar fasciitis, heel pain, general arch support needs for work boots and athletic shoes
Complex biomechanical problems requiring custom prescription orthotics
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thermoskin FXT Plantar Fascia Brace
⭐ Highly Rated
Lightweight plantar fascia sleeve with built-in support bar for daytime heel pain management. Can be worn inside work boots and athletic shoes for continuous plantar fascia offloading.
Dr. Tom says: “Wore this all day in my boots at the farm — by week two my morning heel pain was almost completely gone.”
Daytime plantar fasciitis management, heel pain in work environments requiring continuous standing
Not a substitute for night splinting during sleep or custom orthotics for structural correction
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Workers’ compensation cases accepted for agricultural and trade work-related foot injuries
- Comprehensive diabetic foot exams including Medicare-covered diabetic shoe prescriptions
- Saturday and early morning appointments available for rural workers unable to take weekdays off
❌ Cons / Risks
- 50-60 minute drive from Memphis to Howell office — plan for a half-day appointment
- No satellite office in northern Macomb County — travel to Howell or Hartland required
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Rural patients often arrive at my office having dealt with a problem for much longer than they should have — partly because the drive feels like a commitment, and partly because people in farming and trades communities push through pain as a matter of habit. I try to honor the effort it takes to come in by making the visit as productive as possible. We do imaging, evaluation, and treatment planning all in one appointment, and I give every patient a clear written plan so they know exactly what to do between visits.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Memphis, Michigan?
From Memphis village, our Howell office is approximately 50–60 miles via I-94 West and I-96 West. Drive time is typically 50–60 minutes outside of rush hour. Our Hartland office may be accessible in a similar time frame via M-21 or I-94 to US-23. Call us to determine which location is closest for your specific address.
Does Dr. Biernacki treat farm-related foot injuries for Macomb County patients?
Yes. Dr. Biernacki accepts workers’ compensation cases and has experience with agricultural and industrial foot injuries including crush injuries, nail avulsions, stress fractures from prolonged standing, and post-traumatic complications.
Are Saturday appointments available for Memphis area patients?
Yes. We offer Saturday morning appointments at select locations to accommodate rural and working patients who cannot travel on weekdays. Check our online scheduler at michiganfootdoctors.com or call (810) 588-0579 for current Saturday availability.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring your insurance card, photo ID, a list of medications, any prior imaging on CD or USB, and the footwear you wear most often — including work boots if that’s where you spend most of your day. Footwear evaluation is part of our standard first visit.
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.
What is Foot pain?
Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.
Symptoms and warning signs
Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.
Conservative treatment options
Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.
When is surgery considered?
Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.
Recovery timeline and prevention
Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.
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.