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
Milford and Highland Township are jewels of northwest Oakland County—communities defined by beautiful natural surroundings, strong equestrian and outdoor recreation culture, and established families who value quality local services. Balance Foot & Ankle, led by Dr. Tom Biernacki, brings board-certified podiatric expertise to this area with same-week appointments available for patients from Milford, Highland Township, White Lake, Commerce Township, and surrounding communities.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Milford Highland Township Michigan Oakland Livingston Balance Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Foot & Ankle Services for Milford & Highland Township
Dr. Biernacki’s practice provides comprehensive podiatric care for northwest Oakland County patients: plantar fasciitis and heel pain, 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, warts and skin lesions, and foot and ankle surgery. We serve patients of all ages with individualized evaluation and evidence-based care.
Outdoor Recreation Foot Care
The Huron Valley area’s hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and equestrian communities create unique foot and ankle care needs. Trail runners from Highland Oaks Recreation Area and Proud Lake State Recreation Area present with metatarsal stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains on uneven terrain, and Achilles tendinopathy. Equestrian community members may present with ankle injuries from falls, foot trauma from kicks, and occupational overuse from prolonged standing and riding. Dr. Biernacki provides sport-specific evaluation and return-to-activity planning for outdoor enthusiasts.
Custom Orthotics for Active Lifestyles
Northwest Oakland County’s active population—runners, hikers, equestrians, cyclists—benefits from custom foot orthotics designed for their specific activity demands. Dr. Biernacki fabricates athletic orthotics for trail running shoes, cycling cleats, and casual footwear, as well as dress shoe orthotics for professionals commuting to Milford-area businesses. Custom orthotics address heel pain, arch disorders, metatarsalgia, and sports injury prevention with precision that over-the-counter insoles cannot match.
Diabetic & Senior Foot Care in the Huron Valley
Milford and Highland Township’s growing senior population requires accessible diabetic foot surveillance and nail care. Dr. Biernacki provides comprehensive annual diabetic foot exams, neuropathy testing, vascular screening, wound care, and Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program enrollment. Professional nail care for seniors and diabetic patients who cannot safely manage their own nails is available as a routine service covered by insurance when medically necessary.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Milford
Balance Foot & Ankle is accessible from Milford via M-59 and US-23, and from Highland Township via M-59 and Milford Road. Same-week appointments are available for urgent concerns. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, HAP, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare Part B, and Medicaid. Book online or call—our team confirms insurance coverage before your visit and makes scheduling simple.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Brooks Adrenaline GTS Trail Running Shoe — Stability for Uneven Terrain
⭐ Highly Rated
Brooks Adrenaline GTS provides GuideRails biomechanical support system that limits excess movement without restricting natural motion—ideal for trail runners and hikers on the uneven terrain around Milford’s state recreation areas. Durable outsole handles trail surfaces while the plush DNA LOFT midsole cushions plantar fascia on rocky terrain.
Dr. Tom says: “As a Highland Township trail runner, I needed a stable shoe that would protect my ankle sprain history on technical terrain. Dr. Biernacki recommended these and they’ve been outstanding.”
Best for: Trail runners and hikers with pronation, plantar fasciitis, or ankle sprain history on uneven terrain
Not ideal for: Road running only (outsole wears faster on pavement); severe overpronation requiring motion control
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Lace Bite Pad — Equestrian Boot Dorsum Protection
⭐ Highly Rated
Equestrian and work boot users often develop dorsal foot pain and numbness from lace pressure—a condition known as lace bite or extensor tenosynovitis. Gel pads placed under boot laces redistribute pressure away from the extensor tendons and dorsal foot nerves. Recommended by Dr. Biernacki for Milford equestrian community members with boot-related foot pain.
Dr. Tom says: “I ride horses daily in Milford and had constant dorsal foot pain from my riding boots. My podiatrist had me try these pads in my boots—instant relief.”
Best for: Equestrian and work boot wearers with dorsal foot pressure pain; lace bite and extensor tenosynovitis
Not ideal for: Plantar foot pain; patients with significant structural dorsal foot pathology requiring imaging
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Sport-specific evaluation for Highland Oaks and Proud Lake trail runners and hikers
- Same-week appointments for Milford and Highland Township patients with urgent foot concerns
- Equestrian community-aware care for Huron Valley’s horseback riding population
❌ Cons / Risks
- Custom orthotics require casting/scanning and 2–3 week fabrication before delivery
- Surgical procedures require outpatient facility scheduling with 2–4 week lead time
- Complex diabetic wound cases require vascular surgery co-management
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
The Milford and Highland Township area is beautiful—and the people who live there are very active. Trail runners, equestrians, mountain bikers. These patients challenge me diagnostically in the best way; they’re not content with ‘rest and see what happens.’ They want a specific diagnosis, a specific return-to-activity timeline, and a plan that gets them back to what they love. That’s exactly the care we provide.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you treat equestrian foot injuries?
Yes. Equestrian-related foot and ankle injuries include ankle sprains and fractures from falls, dorsal foot pain from rigid riding boots (lace bite), crush injuries from hoof trauma, and overuse conditions from prolonged stirrup positioning. Dr. Biernacki evaluates equestrian patients with awareness of their specific activity demands and equipment considerations.
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Milford?
Our practice is accessible from Milford via M-59 East and US-23 South. Most Milford patients reach us in approximately 20–25 minutes. Call our office for specific directions and to confirm parking availability.
Do you treat trail running injuries from Proud Lake or Highland Oaks?
Yes—we see trail runners from both recreation areas regularly. Common injuries from trail running include ankle sprains (inversion injury on technical terrain), metatarsal stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and IT band-related lateral ankle pain. We provide biomechanical evaluation specific to trail running mechanics and prescribe return-to-trail protocols.
What insurance do you accept for Livingston County patients?
We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, HAP, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare Part B, and Medicaid. Many Livingston County patients carry Blue Cross or Medicare. Our billing team verifies your specific plan’s podiatric benefits before your appointment so you know your coverage in advance.
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.