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 Sault Ste Marie 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 Care for Sault Ste. Marie and Chippewa County
Sault Ste. Marie — known locally as “the Soo” — is the oldest city in Michigan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America, situated at the rapids of the St. Marys River connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The city of approximately 13,000 is defined by the Soo Locks, through which the largest ships on the Great Lakes navigate between the two great lakes, and by the international bridge to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario across the river. As the largest community in the eastern Upper Peninsula, the Soo serves as a regional medical and commercial hub — but subspecialty medical services, particularly podiatric surgery and advanced foot care, require travel south to the Lower Peninsula. Many Chippewa County residents find their way to Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell for Dr. Tom Biernacki’s expertise.
Soo Locks Workers and Maritime Industry
The Soo Locks operations — managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — employ a significant local workforce in physically demanding maritime and infrastructure roles. Workers maintaining the locks, managing vessel traffic, and operating the associated infrastructure spend long hours on metal grating, concrete, and variable outdoor surfaces in all weather conditions. The resulting foot and ankle demands — heel pain from hard industrial surfaces, ankle injuries from variable terrain, and cumulative lower extremity stress — are the hallmark presentations of industrial workers we see from the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Border Community and Diverse Foot Health Needs
Sault Ste. Marie’s location as an international border crossing creates a diverse and active community. Casino employment at Kewadin Casinos provides significant local jobs with their own foot demands — long shifts on casino floors are a notorious driver of plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. Tourism related to the Soo Locks Boat Tours, the Great Lakes Freighters observation, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park nearby brings visitors and drives an active service sector. The adjacent Lake Superior State University adds a college student and athlete population to the regional health needs profile.
Outdoor Recreation in the Eastern UP
The eastern Upper Peninsula offers remarkable outdoor recreation — Tahquamenon Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, draws hikers year-round. The Les Cheneaux Islands and Drummond Island provide kayaking and boating. Snowmobile trails extend throughout Chippewa County. This active outdoor culture generates ankle sprains, stress fractures, and sports injuries that benefit from the subspecialty evaluation Dr. Biernacki provides at Balance Foot & Ankle.
Conditions Treated for Sault Ste. Marie-Area Patients
Every foot and ankle condition seen in podiatric practice is treated at Balance Foot & Ankle. Soo-area patients most commonly present with plantar fasciitis and heel pain from industrial and casino floor work, chronic ankle instability from outdoor recreation on UP terrain, bunions and hammertoes worsened by work and cold-weather footwear, toenail conditions from heavy boots and damp work environments, diabetic foot complications including wound management and neuropathy, flatfoot deformity requiring orthotics or surgical reconstruction, and sports injuries from LSSU athletics and community recreational sports.
Planning Your Visit from Sault Ste. Marie
The drive from Sault Ste. Marie to our Howell office runs approximately 3.5–4 hours via I-75 South — the most direct route in Michigan, passing through Gaylord and West Branch before connecting to the Howell area. The straightforward I-75 corridor makes the trip more manageable than many other UP communities. Many Soo patients time their visit around other Downstate appointments or plan a same-day round trip for non-surgical visits. Telemedicine follow-up is available after an in-person evaluation for established patients.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you are in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, or the surrounding eastern Upper Peninsula and dealing with a foot or ankle condition that has not resolved with local care, Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle is accepting new patients. Call our office to schedule a comprehensive evaluation.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx Orthotics
⭐ Highly Rated
Maximum-support semi-rigid orthotic with deep heel cup — ideal for Sault Ste. Marie industrial workers and casino employees managing plantar fasciitis from long shifts on hard floors.
Dr. Tom says: “”I work casino floor shifts and my heels were destroyed. These orthotics were the first thing that gave me real relief — I could actually finish my shift standing.””
Plantar fasciitis, casino and industrial floor workers, arch fatigue, prolonged standing
Patients with rigid flatfoot or severe biomechanical deformity requiring custom prescription orthotics
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tuli’s Heavy Duty Heel Cups
⭐ Highly Rated
Medical-grade silicone heel cups providing superior shock absorption — essential for Soo-area workers and outdoor recreationists managing heel pain on hard surfaces and variable UP terrain.
Dr. Tom says: “”Working the Soo Locks involves a lot of metal grating and concrete. These heel cups plus good orthotics got rid of my heel pain completely.””
Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, industrial surface workers, UP outdoor recreation
Not a replacement for full arch support in patients with significant biomechanical deformity
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Subspecialty foot and ankle expertise not available in Chippewa County
- I-75 corridor provides most direct UP-to-Howell route — approximately 3.5–4 hours
- Comprehensive first-visit evaluation including imaging, biomechanical assessment, and gait analysis
- Telemedicine follow-up reduces repeat travel for established Soo-area patients
- Experience treating maritime and industrial workers, casino employees, and eastern UP outdoor recreationists
❌ Cons / Risks
- Approximately 3.5–4-hour drive from Sault Ste. Marie via I-75 South
- Advance scheduling required — not a walk-in urgent care
- Some imaging (MRI) may need to be arranged locally before the initial visit
- Post-operative care may require multiple Downstate trips during recovery
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Sault Ste. Marie has a character unlike any other place in Michigan — the Locks, the river, the border, the history. The people who call it home are proud of it and connected to it. When they travel down I-75 to see me, they’re serious about getting their foot problem resolved. My job is to deliver a diagnosis and a plan that justifies the drive — and to make follow-up as convenient as possible through telemedicine for patients who are managing complex conditions from a distance.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a podiatrist in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan?
Sault Ste. Marie has limited podiatric subspecialty services. Many Chippewa County residents with complex foot and ankle conditions — including surgical needs — travel to Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell, MI, for Dr. Tom Biernacki’s comprehensive subspecialty care.
How far is Sault Ste. Marie from Balance Foot & Ankle?
The Soo is approximately 3.5–4 hours from our Howell office via I-75 South — a direct, straightforward drive through the Lower Peninsula. Telemedicine follow-up is available after an initial in-person visit.
What foot problems are common in Sault Ste. Marie workers?
Casino floor workers and maritime/Locks personnel commonly present with plantar fasciitis from long shifts on hard surfaces. Outdoor recreationists bring ankle sprains and stress injuries. Diabetic foot complications are common given UP demographic health patterns.
Does Dr. Biernacki treat diabetic foot problems?
Yes. Diabetic wound management, neuropathy assessment, protective footwear prescription, and ulcer prevention are important components of our practice — with particular sensitivity to the challenges of rural UP patients who have limited access to wound care specialists locally.
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.
Find a Board-Certified Podiatrist (American Podiatric Medical Association)
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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, FACFAS answers:
No referral is needed to see our podiatrist near Sault Ste. Marie. You can call or book online directly. Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Blue Cross, Medicare, Aetna, Priority Health, and United Healthcare. We treat the full range of foot and ankle conditions including plantar fasciitis, bunions, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care, neuropathy, and sports injuries. Our board-certified DPM provides both conservative and surgical care. Same-week and urgent appointments are available for residents of the Sault Ste. Marie area.
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.