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.
Podiatrist Sault Ste Marie Michigan Chippewa County Balance Foot Ankle treatment | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opvH3qxkW4
Dr. Biernacki provides advanced foot and ankle care for Sault Ste. Marie and Chippewa County patients.
Foot and Ankle Care for Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from Sault Ste. Marie and throughout Chippewa County at our Howell, Michigan location. The “Soo” — a border city with a rich Great Lakes shipping heritage — has limited access to subspecialty podiatric surgical care, and patients requiring complex procedures travel downstate regularly for these services. Dr. Biernacki’s fellowship-trained expertise in foot and ankle reconstruction makes our practice the destination of choice for U.P. residents needing advanced care.
Conditions Requiring Subspecialty Care
Patients from Sault Ste. Marie most commonly travel to our clinic for severe bunion deformity requiring Lapidus procedure, advanced ankle arthritis requiring total ankle replacement or fusion, Achilles tendon reconstruction for chronic tears, Charcot foot reconstruction for diabetic patients, and complex fracture management. Lake Superior State University athletes also seek sports injury care for ankle sprains, stress fractures, and Achilles tendinopathy. We provide the full spectrum of care needed by this community.
Lake Superior State University Athletes
LSSU has competitive athletic programs in hockey, basketball, and cross-country, and we welcome student athletes from the Soo who need sport-specific foot and ankle injury management. Hockey-related ankle injuries, skate boot neuropathy, and stress fractures in runners are among the presentations we see from this community. Dr. Biernacki provides rapid diagnosis, aggressive conservative care, and sport-specific surgical management to minimize time away from competition.
Telemedicine and Efficient Scheduling
Sault Ste. Marie is approximately 5–6 hours from Howell via I-75 South. We strongly recommend beginning with a telemedicine consultation to review your imaging and determine whether in-person evaluation is warranted. When you do travel south, we work to consolidate all necessary evaluation and planning into the most efficient visit possible. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid. Call (517) 579-4800 or visit MichiganFootDoctors.com.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2 Hockey Skate
⭐ Highly Rated
Professional-grade hockey skate with Curv Composite boot and anatomical fit — reduces skate-boot neuropathy, bunion pressure, and ankle blisters common in U.P. hockey communities.
Dr. Tom says:“Pro-level fit and custom heat molding reduce the internal pressure points that cause boot neuropathy and big toe pain in serious hockey players.”
✅ Best for Hockey skate fit and U.P. player foot protection
⚠️ Not ideal for Professional price point — intermediate options available for recreational players
Sault Ste. Marie is one of the most isolated communities we serve. Hockey is everything up there, and a poorly fitting skate causing hallux neuropathy or a chronic ankle that keeps giving out can derail a player’s entire season. We make the distance work with telehealth — send me your imaging and your skate photos, and I’ll tell you exactly what I think before you drive 6 hours.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Howell from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan?
Howell is approximately 5–6 hours from Sault Ste. Marie via I-75 South and I-96 West. Plan an overnight stay for surgical cases or multi-visit appointments.
Do you treat LSSU hockey players?
Yes — hockey-related foot and ankle injuries are a specialty. We understand the equipment considerations, season timelines, and injury patterns specific to hockey players at all levels.
Can my care be coordinated with War Memorial Hospital in the Soo?
Yes — for appropriate post-operative care, we can coordinate with War Memorial or a local provider in Sault Ste. Marie to minimize your total travel burden during recovery.
What if I need emergency foot care before I can get to Howell?
For acute emergencies — severe infections, open fractures, acute limb-threatening conditions — go to your nearest emergency room or War Memorial Hospital immediately. For non-emergent urgent concerns, call (517) 579-4800 for a same-day telemedicine triage.
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.
