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 Sturgis Three Rivers Michigan St Joseph County Balance Foot Ankle treatment | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8opvH3qxkW4
Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from Sturgis, Three Rivers, and St. Joseph County, Michigan.
Foot and Ankle Care for Sturgis and Three Rivers
Balance Foot & Ankle serves patients from Sturgis, Three Rivers, and throughout St. Joseph County at our Howell, Michigan location. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides both conservative and surgical foot and ankle care, with expertise in minimally invasive techniques that minimize recovery time. St. Joseph County’s manufacturing workforce, active families, and agricultural community generate a diverse range of foot and ankle conditions that we treat comprehensively.
Industrial and Agricultural Workforce Care
Sturgis and Three Rivers have significant manufacturing and agricultural sectors, with workers who spend long hours on hard floors and varied terrain. Plantar fasciitis from concrete floor standing, metatarsal stress fractures from repetitive work patterns, occupational ankle injuries, and peripheral neuropathy evaluation are common presentations from this community. We provide ergonomic footwear recommendations, work boot orthotics, and both conservative and surgical management of occupational foot conditions.
Family and Pediatric Foot Care
We see patients of all ages from St. Joseph County — from pediatric flat feet and in-toeing in children to adolescent sports injuries and adult bunions. Pediatric flat foot evaluation distinguishes flexible flat feet (typically managed conservatively with orthotics) from rigid flat feet (requiring further workup for tarsal coalition). We address parental concerns about foot development with evidence-based guidance and avoid over-treating normal developmental variants.
Getting to Howell from Sturgis
Our Howell clinic is approximately 2.5 hours from Sturgis via US-12 East and I-94 East to I-96 East. We offer morning scheduling and telemedicine consultations. 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
Keen Utility Men’s Detroit XT Steel Toe Boot
⭐ Highly Rated
ASTM-certified steel toe work boot with arch support and EH rating — designed for manufacturing and agricultural workers in Sturgis and Three Rivers for all-day concrete floor wear.
Dr. Tom says:“Built-in KEEN arch support and wider toe box accommodate work orthotics while providing ASTM F2413 safety protection for industrial environments.”
✅ Best for Industrial work boot with arch support for manufacturing and agricultural workers
⚠️ Not ideal for Steel toe adds weight — titanium toe options available for lighter-duty applications
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
Occupational foot care expertise for Sturgis and Three Rivers manufacturing workforce.
Pediatric and family foot care for all ages.
Work boot orthotic fabrication for industrial environments.
2.5 hours from Sturgis — accessible for most St. Joseph County residents.
❌ Cons / Risks
Travel to Howell required for in-person evaluation.
Multiple visits needed for surgical cases.
Dr
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Manufacturing workers are the backbone of communities like Sturgis and Three Rivers, and their feet take an enormous beating. Standing on concrete for 10 hours a day — plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, nerve compression — these are real occupational hazards. The right work boot with a custom insert can be the difference between a career and a disability claim. Take your feet seriously.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you see workers’ comp foot injury cases?
Yes — we evaluate and treat occupational foot and ankle injuries including acute trauma, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and nerve compression conditions. We provide documentation for workers’ compensation claims when appropriate.
Can you make orthotics that fit in work boots?
Yes — we fabricate custom orthotics specifically for safety boots, including steel-toe and composite-toe constructions. Work boot orthotics address the specific loading patterns of industrial and agricultural work environments.
Do you treat children’s flat feet?
Yes — pediatric flat foot evaluation is part of our practice. We distinguish normal developmental flat feet (requiring no treatment) from symptomatic or rigid flat feet requiring orthotics or surgical evaluation.
How soon can I get an appointment from Sturgis?
New patient appointments are typically available within 1–2 weeks. Urgent concerns are often seen within 24–48 hours. Telemedicine consultations can be arranged sooner for non-urgent evaluation. Call (517) 579-4800.
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.
