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 New Haven Michigan Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Foot and Ankle Specialist Serving New Haven, Michigan
New Haven is a growing village in eastern Macomb County, situated along the I-94 corridor near New Baltimore and Chesterfield Township. Its residential communities, proximity to the Lake St. Clair shoreline, and easy access to the metropolitan Detroit area make it an increasingly popular location for families and working professionals. Balance Foot & Ankle provides specialist-level podiatric care that New Haven residents can access without the inconvenience of downtown Detroit medical center parking and wait times.
Our Commitment to Eastern Macomb County Patients
Dr. Tom Biernacki is a board-certified podiatric surgeon who treats the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions, from common sports injuries and heel pain to complex reconstructive foot surgery. He built Balance Foot & Ankle around accessibility — efficient scheduling, in-office imaging, and treatment plans that account for your work and family schedule. For New Haven patients, we provide the same specialist expertise available at major academic medical centers, in a community practice setting that respects your time.
Conditions We Treat
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain: The leading cause of foot pain in adults. Dr. Biernacki’s protocol of custom orthotics, stretching, night splinting, and shockwave therapy resolves the majority of plantar fasciitis cases within 6–10 weeks without surgery.
Sports and Athletic Injuries: Macomb County’s youth and adult athletic communities — soccer leagues, basketball, football — frequently encounter ankle sprains, stress fractures, turf toe, and Achilles tendon injuries. Dr. Biernacki provides sports-specific return-to-activity programs with realistic timelines for the current season.
Diabetic Foot Care: Comprehensive diabetic foot evaluations including monofilament neuropathy testing, vascular assessment, and prescription diabetic footwear. Regular exams identify early problems — peripheral neuropathy, pre-ulcerative calluses, early infections — before they escalate into hospitalization-level emergencies.
Ingrown Toenails: Same-day partial nail avulsion procedures provide immediate relief. Permanent matrixectomy procedures eliminate recurrence in chronically ingrown nails. Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia in-office.
Bunions and Toe Deformities: Bunions (hallux valgus), hammertoes, and lesser toe deformities cause progressive pain and difficulty finding footwear. Dr. Biernacki conservatively manages mild-to-moderate deformities with custom orthotics and footwear guidance, and offers minimally invasive bunion corrections for surgical candidates.
Ankle Arthritis: Post-traumatic and osteoarthritic ankle pain responds to bracing, injections, and activity modification, with surgical options including ankle fusion and total ankle replacement for end-stage disease.
Directions to Balance Foot & Ankle from New Haven
From New Haven, take I-94 West to M-59 West toward Howell, or continue to I-96 West. Drive time is approximately 45–55 minutes to our Howell office depending on traffic. Alternatively, US-23 North from the I-96 interchange connects to our Hartland location. Both offices offer free parking and easy building access. Early morning and Saturday appointments are available for commuters.
Community Coverage
Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from New Haven, New Baltimore, Chesterfield Township, Lenox Township, Richmond, and across eastern and northern Macomb County. We also welcome patients from St. Clair County communities seeking specialist podiatric care in a convenient location.
Schedule Your Visit
Call (810) 588-0579 or book online at michiganfootdoctors.com. New patients are welcome, and insurance verification is completed before your first appointment so there are no billing surprises.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Orthofeet Proven Plantar Fasciitis Shoes
⭐ Highly Rated
Podiatrist-recommended therapeutic shoes with built-in arch support, extra-wide toe box, and anatomical heel cup. Addresses multiple foot conditions in one well-engineered shoe.
Dr. Tom says: “I got these after my podiatrist visit and my heel pain improved within days. Best shoe purchase I’ve ever made.”
Plantar fasciitis, bunions, diabetic foot, multiple concurrent foot conditions requiring therapeutic footwear
High-fashion or specific athletic performance requirements — these are clinical therapeutic shoes
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Strassburg Sock Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint
⭐ Highly Rated
Soft sock-style night splint that maintains gentle plantar fascia dorsiflexion during sleep. More comfortable than rigid night splints for New Haven patients with compliance challenges.
Dr. Tom says: “Way more comfortable than the hard plastic boot my doctor first prescribed. I actually wear this one every night.”
Plantar fasciitis morning pain, patients who find rigid night splints uncomfortable, compliance-challenged patients
Severe Achilles contracture requiring aggressive dorsiflexion splinting (rigid splint may be needed)
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- 45-55 minute drive from New Haven via I-94/M-59 corridor to Howell office
- In-office digital X-ray and diagnostic ultrasound available same-day
- Sports-specific return-to-activity planning for Macomb County youth and adult athletes
❌ Cons / Risks
- No physical office in New Haven or eastern Macomb County — travel to Howell or Hartland required
- I-94 and M-59 rush-hour traffic can extend commute — book early morning slots when possible
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
New Haven and eastern Macomb County patients are often pleasantly surprised that specialist foot care is as accessible as it is. We’re typically able to get people in within a few days, do the imaging and evaluation in one visit, and have a treatment plan ready to execute before you leave the office. That efficiency matters for working families — you shouldn’t need four appointments to figure out you have plantar fasciitis.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from New Haven, Michigan?
New Haven is approximately 45–55 miles from our Howell office via I-94 West to M-59 West. Drive time is typically 45–55 minutes outside of rush hours. Our Hartland location on M-59 may also be convenient depending on your specific address — call us to compare routes.
Do you see New Haven youth athletes?
Yes. We treat pediatric and adolescent athletes for ankle sprains, Sever’s disease, stress fractures, and other sports-related foot and ankle injuries. We work with coaches and athletic trainers on return-to-sport timelines.
What insurance plans do you accept for New Haven patients?
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and most commercial plans common in Macomb County. Call us to verify your specific plan prior to scheduling.
Can I get same-day treatment for an ingrown toenail at your office?
Yes. We frequently accommodate same-day appointments for acute ingrown toenails. The procedure itself takes 15–20 minutes under local anesthesia, and most patients walk out and return to normal activities the same day.
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)
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, FACFAS answers:
No referral is needed to see our podiatrist near New Haven. You can call or book online directly. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Blue Cross, Medicare, Aetna, and United Healthcare. We treat conditions from plantar fasciitis and ingrown toenails to diabetic foot care and ankle injuries. Residents of New Haven are served by our Novi and Auburn Hills offices, with same-week appointments typically available.
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.