Podiatrist Pontiac MI: Foot & Ankle Care | Balance

Expert Foot & Ankle Care for Pontiac, Waterford & North Oakland County

Pontiac and Waterford Township anchor north Oakland County — a region of active outdoor communities, lakeside living, and working families who need podiatric care that understands their lifestyle. From athletes training at area recreational facilities to seniors managing arthritis and diabetes, Balance Foot & Ankle provides the full spectrum of foot and ankle expertise for north Oakland County patients.

Dr. Tom Biernacki is a board-certified podiatric physician and surgeon whose practice serves patients from across Oakland and surrounding counties. North Oakland County patients appreciate Dr. Biernacki’s direct communication style, evidence-based treatment recommendations, and the genuine care he brings to every patient encounter — from straightforward nail care to complex reconstructive surgery.

Conditions We Treat for North Oakland County Patients

Heel pain and plantar fasciitis — among the most common presentations from Waterford and Pontiac area patients. Dr. Biernacki’s structured treatment protocol achieves resolution in the vast majority of patients within 3 months using targeted stretching, custom orthotics, and anti-inflammatory management. For resistant cases, advanced interventions including platelet-rich plasma and shockwave therapy are available.

Bunion correction — north Oakland County patients with painful hallux valgus deformities benefit from Dr. Biernacki’s spectrum of treatment options from conservative management to modern minimally invasive MICA bunionectomy. MICA surgery allows same-day walking in a surgical shoe with return to regular footwear by 6–8 weeks.

Ankle sprains and sports injuries — Waterford’s recreational lakes and Pontiac’s active community produce a steady stream of ankle injuries, Achilles problems, and overuse conditions. Dr. Biernacki provides rapid assessment, in-office imaging, and evidence-based return-to-sport protocols.

Diabetic foot care — comprehensive annual diabetic exams, monofilament testing, vascular screening, and therapeutic footwear for north Oakland County diabetic patients. Early detection and prevention of ulcers and neuropathic complications is a clinical priority.

Ingrown toenails and nail conditions — same-day procedures for painful ingrown toenails with permanent matrixectomy to prevent recurrence. Fungal nail laser treatment and general nail care also available.

Custom orthotics — precision prescription orthotics for biomechanical correction across conditions including flat feet, bunions, plantar fasciitis, and PTTD.

Serving Pontiac, Waterford, White Lake & Highland

From Pontiac, our Howell office is approximately 30–40 minutes via M-59 West — one of the shortest drives for any north Oakland County patient seeking subspecialty foot and ankle care. Waterford Township patients are similarly close via M-59. We also see patients from White Lake, Highland, Milford, Commerce Township, and Wixom.

We accept major Michigan insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, HAP, McLaren, and Medicare. Call (517) 579-FOOT to schedule.

Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations

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.

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.