Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI Last reviewed: May 2026
MICHIGAN PODIATRIST INSIGHT
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.
Dr. Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle provides expert podiatric care for Saline and Washtenaw County Michigan patients.
Podiatric Care for Saline and Washtenaw County
Saline is a thriving Washtenaw County community with a strong school system, active families, and a growing population of professionals and retirees. Balance Foot & Ankle, led by Dr. Tom Biernacki, has served Saline and the broader Washtenaw County area with expert podiatric medicine for years. Whether you need routine nail care, a custom orthotic, or complex surgical correction, Dr. Biernacki delivers the same standard of care to Saline patients that major academic medical centers provide—with far less waiting and bureaucracy.
Full Podiatric Services for Saline Patients
Saline patients access the complete Balance Foot & Ankle service menu: plantar fasciitis and heel spur treatment, ingrown toenail procedures including permanent matrixectomy, fungal nail laser therapy, bunion and hammertoe correction including Lapidus and chevron osteotomy, Morton’s neuroma management, ankle ligament reconstruction, Achilles tendinopathy and repair, PTTD flatfoot reconstruction, diabetic foot care, Charcot foot management, custom orthotic fabrication, and pediatric foot care for Saline’s youth athletes.
Saline’s Active Running Community
Saline is home to a strong running community with active participation in local races, high school cross country, and recreational running throughout Washtenaw County. Dr. Biernacki’s sports podiatry expertise serves this community with biomechanical gait analysis, custom running orthotics, and targeted treatment of running injuries—plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, Achilles tendinopathy, and ankle instability. Most Saline runners return to training within six to twelve weeks of beginning appropriate treatment for overuse injuries.
Diabetic Foot Care for Saline Patients
Saline’s older adult population includes significant numbers of patients managing diabetes. Dr. Biernacki’s comprehensive diabetic foot program—annual sensory and vascular examination, therapeutic footwear prescription, callus and nail care, wound management, and Charcot surveillance—prevents the amputations and hospitalizations that result from neglected diabetic foot disease. Medicare covers annual diabetic foot exams and therapeutic footwear for qualifying patients.
Scheduling for Saline Patients
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and others. New Saline patients are typically seen within one week. Urgent concerns receive priority access. Call (734) 479-0560 or visit MichiganFootDoctors.com. We serve Saline, Milan, York Township, and all of Washtenaw County.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Brooks Ghost Running Shoe
⭐ Highly Rated
Neutral cushioned running shoe with exceptional heel-to-toe transition—one of the top choices for Saline runners managing plantar fasciitis, arch pain, or general overuse injury.
Dr. Tom says:“Brooks Ghost is consistently one of the most recommended running shoes I suggest for Saline runners with heel pain. Outstanding cushioning and reliable fit.”
✅ Best for Saline runners with heel pain or mild overpronation seeking a neutral cushioned shoe
⚠️ Not ideal for Significant overpronators who need a stability or motion-control shoe
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Powerstep Pinnacle Orthotic Insoles
⭐ Highly Rated
Semi-rigid arch support and deep heel cradle for Saline patients managing plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or arch fatigue in running and casual footwear.
Dr. Tom says:“My most frequently recommended first-line insole for Saline area patients with heel and arch pain.”
✅ Best for Saline patients with heel pain, flat feet, or arch fatigue
⚠️ Not ideal for Those with complex structural issues requiring custom prescription orthotics
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
I’ve been serving the Saline community for years and it’s a patient base I truly appreciate—active, health-conscious, and motivated to get better. If you’re a high schooler with Sever’s disease, a marathon runner with a stress fracture, or a retiree dealing with diabetic foot complications, we have expertise that matches your needs. Call us—we’ll get you in quickly.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Balance Foot & Ankle serve Saline Township patients?
Yes, we serve Saline city and all of the surrounding York Township and Washtenaw County area.
Can Dr. Biernacki treat high school running injuries from Saline?
Absolutely. Saline cross country, track, and distance running athletes dealing with plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, Sever’s disease, and ankle injuries are commonly treated at Balance Foot & Ankle.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle accept Blue Cross for Saline patients?
Yes, we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and most major insurance plans. Call to verify your specific plan and coverage.
What is the earliest sign of a diabetic foot problem?
Any new callus, skin breakdown, redness, or warmth should be evaluated promptly. In patients with neuropathy who can’t feel pain, these visual signs may be the only warning. Daily foot inspection is essential—contact our office immediately if you notice any skin changes.
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.
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.
Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons are affiliated with Trinity Health Michigan, Corewell Health, and Henry Ford Health — three of Michigan’s largest health systems.
