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
Shelby Township is one of Michigan’s most desirable and fastest-growing communities—a place where families put down roots, athletes train hard, and active retirees maintain the lifestyle they’ve worked for. When foot or ankle pain interrupts that life, Balance Foot & Ankle is Shelby Township’s trusted podiatric resource. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides expert, board-certified care matched to your needs and activity level, with same-week appointments available for new patients throughout northern Macomb County.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Shelby Township Michigan Macomb County Balance Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Comprehensive Podiatric Care for Shelby Township
Balance Foot & Ankle treats the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions for Shelby Township residents: heel pain and plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy and ruptures, ankle sprains and chronic instability, bunions and hammertoes, sports-related stress fractures, custom orthotics and biomechanical evaluation, diabetic foot exams and wound care, ingrown and fungal toenails, warts, nerve entrapments, and foot and ankle surgery. We serve patients of all ages from youth athletes to active seniors.
Sports Podiatry for Shelby Township Athletes
Shelby Township’s active athletic community—from high school athletes at Utica Community Schools to adult recreational runners and club sports participants—puts significant demand on feet and ankles. Dr. Biernacki provides sports-specific biomechanical evaluation, gait analysis, and sport-tailored treatment plans. Common athletic presentations from Shelby Township include: metatarsal stress fractures in distance runners, ankle sprains from soccer and basketball, Achilles tendinopathy from increased training load, sesamoiditis in dancers and sprinters, and plantar fasciitis from high training mileage.
Family Foot Care: All Ages Welcome
Shelby Township families trust Balance Foot & Ankle for foot care across every life stage. Children’s foot concerns including flatfoot, Sever’s disease, in-toeing, warts, and toe deformities are evaluated with expertise in pediatric foot development. Adult patients receive comprehensive conservative and surgical care. Seniors benefit from diabetic foot management, nail care, custom orthotics, and arthritis management programs. We provide coordinated care across generations within the same practice.
Custom Orthotics for Shelby Township Residents
Custom foot orthotics from Balance Foot & Ankle are precision-fabricated devices based on a 3D scan or plaster cast of your foot—not generic pre-made insoles. They’re prescribed after a thorough biomechanical evaluation and are specific to your foot structure, activity demands, and pathology. Shelby Township patients commonly receive orthotics for plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bunion management, sports injury prevention, and diabetic foot offloading. Most insurance plans cover custom orthotics with appropriate medical documentation.
Getting an Appointment from Shelby Township
Balance Foot & Ankle is conveniently accessible from Shelby Township via M-59, 23 Mile Road, and Van Dyke Avenue. Same-week appointments are available for urgent concerns including ingrown nail infections, ankle sprains, and acute heel pain. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, HAP, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare Part B, and Medicaid/Healthy Michigan. Book online or call our office—our team makes scheduling easy and will confirm your insurance before your visit.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Superfeet CARBON Insoles — Performance Athletic Support
⭐ Highly Rated
Superfeet CARBON is an ultra-thin, carbon-fiber performance insole designed for athletes who need biomechanical support without bulk. Ideal for athletic shoes, cleats, and cycling shoes where thicker insoles don’t fit. The carbon fiber shell provides rigid arch support and heel stability with minimal added volume.
Dr. Tom says: “I play soccer at the Shelby Township rec leagues and these insoles fit perfectly in my cleats. My foot fatigue dropped significantly mid-season.”
Best for: Athletes needing thin, firm support for cleats, cycling shoes, or low-volume athletic footwear
Not ideal for: Patients needing cushioning or custom biomechanical correction for significant pathology
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Theraband Resistance Bands — Foot & Ankle Strengthening
⭐ Highly Rated
Theraband resistance bands are the standard tool for foot and ankle rehabilitation—dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion exercises prescribed by Dr. Biernacki for Achilles tendinopathy, ankle sprain recovery, PTTD, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Available in multiple resistance levels; includes exercise instruction.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist prescribed specific exercises with these bands for my Achilles problem. Six weeks in and I’m back to running without pain.”
Best for: Achilles tendinopathy rehabilitation, ankle sprain recovery, PTTD strengthening, post-operative foot exercises
Not ideal for: Patients with acute ankle fractures or active inflammation requiring rest before exercise
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Same-week appointments for Shelby Township and northern Macomb County patients with urgent foot concerns
- Sports podiatry expertise for youth and adult athletes at Utica Community Schools and local clubs
- Family practice serving all ages from pediatric foot development to senior diabetic foot care
❌ Cons / Risks
- Custom orthotics require casting/scanning and 2–3 week fabrication before delivery
- Surgical procedures require facility scheduling which may take 2–4 weeks
- Complex sports injuries may need MRI or additional imaging requiring prior authorization
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Shelby Township is a great community with very active people—and I genuinely enjoy treating athletes. Whether it’s a high school cross-country runner with a stress fracture or an adult rec league player with chronic ankle instability, sports foot injuries have a clear treatment path and a clear return-to-activity goal. Come in early, get the right diagnosis, and we’ll build a plan that gets you back faster than you think possible.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you treat youth athletes from Utica Community Schools?
Yes. We regularly see youth athletes from Utica Community Schools including Utica, Eisenhower, Ford II, and other schools in the district. Sever’s disease, stress fractures, ankle sprains, and flatfoot concerns in young athletes are all within our scope. Early treatment during growth plate activity often prevents more significant problems later.
How do I get same-week care in Shelby Township?
Call our office directly and mention you have an urgent concern—ingrown nail infection, acute ankle injury, or significant heel pain. We reserve slots for urgent new patients and aim to see them within 24–48 hours when possible. Online booking is also available; select ‘urgent new patient’ when prompted.
Does Blue Cross cover custom orthotics in Shelby Township?
Blue Cross Blue Shield typically covers custom orthotics when medically necessary and properly documented. Coverage varies by specific plan (PPO vs. HMO vs. individual policy). Our billing team verifies your specific plan’s orthotic benefit before your appointment so there are no surprises. We handle the documentation required for insurance submission.
Can you treat diabetic feet in Shelby Township?
Yes. Diabetic foot care is one of our core services. We perform comprehensive annual diabetic foot exams, neuropathy testing, vascular screening, nail care, wound management, and custom diabetic shoe prescriptions. We coordinate with Shelby Township-area endocrinologists and internists for integrated diabetic care.
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.
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.
Find a Board-Certified Podiatrist (American Podiatric Medical Association)
Ready to Get Relief?
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.