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 Otisville 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 Near Otisville, Michigan
Otisville, a small community in northern Genesee County near the Saginaw County border, represents the kind of rural Michigan community where quality specialist foot care has historically required a long drive. Not anymore. Balance Foot & Ankle, led by board-certified podiatric physician and surgeon Dr. Tom Biernacki, provides expert podiatric services for Otisville-area residents at a location far more accessible than the distant city specialists.
Whether you’re dealing with nagging heel pain, a painful ingrown nail, diabetic foot concerns, or an ankle injury from farm work or outdoor recreation, Dr. Biernacki provides the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment you need to stay healthy, mobile, and active.
What We Treat Near Otisville
Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis): Morning heel pain is the most common reason patients visit a podiatrist nationwide — and it’s highly treatable. Dr. Biernacki’s evidence-based approach combines stretching instruction, custom orthotic fabrication, night splints, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy for stubborn cases. Most patients achieve lasting relief without surgery.
Ingrown Toenails: Rural Michigan patients often try to manage ingrown nails at home, sometimes creating infection and serious complications in the process. A simple 15-minute in-office procedure under local anesthesia permanently resolves recurring ingrown nails. Walk-in with pain, walk out with a solution — same day.
Diabetic Foot Care: Diabetes-related foot complications are among the most common causes of hospitalization and amputation nationwide. Dr. Biernacki’s comprehensive diabetic surveillance program — nerve testing, vascular assessment, nail and callus maintenance, wound care, and Medicare therapeutic footwear — catches problems early and prevents catastrophic outcomes. If you have diabetes and haven’t had your feet checked in the last year, call us today.
Sports & Work Injuries: Agricultural work, outdoor recreation, and sports all create significant foot and ankle injury risk. Ankle sprains, Achilles injuries, stress fractures, and tendon tears are evaluated and treated with both conservative and surgical options. Dr. Biernacki provides sport-specific and work-specific rehabilitation guidance to get patients back to full function safely.
Bunions & Hammertoes: Progressive toe deformities that interfere with footwear or activity. Modern minimally invasive correction procedures deliver better cosmetic and functional outcomes with smaller incisions and faster recovery than traditional approaches.
Nail Conditions: Fungal nails, thickened and painful nails, traumatic nail injuries, and nail psoriasis all have effective treatment options. Dr. Biernacki takes nail health seriously — unhealthy nails are often harbingers of systemic conditions that deserve attention.
Serving Northern Genesee County’s Rural Communities
Otisville sits at the northern end of Genesee County, serving as a gateway between the Tri-Cities area and the Thumb region of Michigan. We serve patients from Otisville, Montrose, Vienna Township, Thetford Township, Elba Township, and throughout the rural northern Genesee corridor. For patients in this region who have gone years without seeing a podiatrist, we make it easy to start: straightforward scheduling, most diagnostics on-site at the first visit, and a physician who listens and explains.
Technology That Makes Diagnosis Fast and Accurate
Balance Foot & Ankle offers in-office digital X-ray, diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound for real-time tendon and ligament evaluation, computerized pressure mapping for precision custom orthotic fabrication, and Doppler vascular studies — all available at your appointment without referral to a separate facility. For most conditions, you leave the first visit with a diagnosis, a plan, and often your first treatment already started.
Accepting Most Michigan Insurance Plans
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, McLaren Health Plan, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid/Healthy Michigan. Our staff verifies benefits before your visit and works to maximize your coverage for medically necessary podiatric services. Same-week appointments for urgent concerns. Call us today.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
New Balance 860v13 Supportive Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Motion-control running shoe with medial post and firm heel counter providing exceptional rearfoot stability for overpronators. Excellent for northern Michigan residents who need supportive footwear for daily work and activity.
Dr. Tom says: “”I have flat feet and every pair of shoes used to destroy my arches. These New Balance shoes with the medial post have completely changed my comfort level at work.””
Overpronation, flat feet, heel pain prevention, daily walking
Designed for overpronators — not appropriate for supinated/high-arch feet
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
ProFoot Triad Orthotic for Women/Men
⭐ Highly Rated
Three-zone cushioning insoles with targeted metatarsal, arch, and heel support. Affordable OTC option for mild arch and heel pain — a useful first step before custom orthotic evaluation.
Dr. Tom says: “”These are a great value for basic arch support. I use them in my barn boots and they’ve made a big difference in my foot fatigue after long days of farm work.””
Farm/work boots, basic arch support, moderate cushioning
OTC device — custom orthotics provide superior correction for significant pathology
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Specialist podiatric care accessible to Otisville and the rural northern Genesee County region
- On-site diagnostics allow same-day diagnosis and treatment initiation — minimizing trips and time away from work
- Accepts McLaren Health Plan and major Michigan insurance carriers serving the northern Genesee corridor
❌ Cons / Risks
- Otisville patients will have a moderate commute to our office — we work to make every visit count
- Some complex surgical procedures may be performed at regional outpatient surgery centers
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
The further you get from urban centers in Michigan, the more foot problems I see that have been neglected for years — a diabetic ulcer that was ignored, an ingrown nail that got infected, a bunion that’s now dislocating the second toe. I understand why: people in rural communities are busy, self-reliant, and don’t want to make the drive unless it’s really necessary. My job is to make that drive worth it — diagnose it right the first time, start treatment immediately, and give you a realistic plan to get better.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Balance Foot & Ankle from Otisville?
Our office is located to serve northern Genesee County patients. Most Otisville-area patients can reach us within 25–35 minutes. Call our office for specific directions from your location.
Do you treat farmers and agricultural workers?
Absolutely. We see many patients from agricultural backgrounds who deal with foot problems unique to farming: boot-related pressure sores, repetitive impact injuries from operating heavy equipment, and the high rates of diabetes and circulation problems seen in rural Michigan populations. We understand the physical demands of agricultural work and tailor treatment accordingly.
Can I walk in without an appointment?
We strongly recommend scheduling an appointment to minimize wait time. However, we do our best to accommodate urgent walk-ins when our schedule allows. For true foot and ankle emergencies — infected wounds, suspected fractures, or severe diabetic foot problems — call ahead and we will do our best to see you the same day.
Is heel pain normal as you get older?
It’s common, but not normal in the sense of being something you should just accept. Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and heel spur pain all become more prevalent with age — but they all have effective treatments. Age is not a reason to live with foot pain. If anything, addressing it early becomes more important as you get older, because compensatory gait changes from untreated foot pain accelerate problems in the knees, hips, and lower back.
What should I do if my foot is red, swollen, and warm?
Seek evaluation promptly — especially if you have diabetes, circulation problems, or a compromised immune system. Redness, swelling, and warmth in the foot can indicate infection, gout, deep vein thrombosis, or Charcot neuroarthropathy. Some of these conditions are emergencies. Don’t wait to see if it improves on its own when you have risk factors.
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. Whether you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
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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.