Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Balance Foot & Ankle welcomes patients from Troy, Rochester Hills, and eastern Oakland County to our Howell, Michigan podiatric office. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides comprehensive foot and ankle care—conservative management to advanced surgery. Troy and Rochester Hills patients are approximately 50–55 minutes from Howell via I-75 north or M-59 west. Call (517) 579-1881 or visit MichiganFootDoctors.com.
Troy and Rochester Hills anchor the prosperous eastern Oakland County corridor—a region of high-achieving professionals, competitive youth athletics, and an increasingly active senior population. When residents of these communities need expert foot and ankle care, Balance Foot & Ankle offers the surgical and clinical expertise of Dr. Tom Biernacki, accessible from Troy and Rochester Hills via I-75 north or M-59 west to our Howell office—approximately 50–55 minutes under normal conditions.
Troy: Michigan’s Business Capital and Athletic Hub
Troy is Michigan’s second-largest city by employment—home to General Motors’ IT center, Kmart’s former headquarters, and dozens of financial, technology, and manufacturing firms. Troy’s residential communities include active families and serious recreational athletes who use the city’s extensive trail network, the Troy Sports Center, and nearby golf courses. Athens High School and Troy High School produce competitive athletes across all sports. The intersection of professional demands and active lifestyles creates a population prone to overuse injuries, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and sports-related ankle injuries.
Rochester Hills: University Community and Trail Athletes
Rochester Hills is home to Oakland University, painting Rochester Hills as a college-town/suburban hybrid with a mix of students, young families, and established professionals. The Paint Creek Trail—one of Oakland County’s premier rail-trail systems—runs through Rochester Hills and Rochester, attracting thousands of runners, cyclists, and walkers. Rochester Adams and Rochester High School athletics are perennial state contenders. Foot and ankle injuries from trail running, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey are commonly seen in the Rochester Hills population.
Services for Troy and Rochester Hills Patients
Dr. Biernacki provides the full spectrum of podiatric care for Troy and Rochester Hills patients including: plantar fasciitis and heel pain, bunion correction (minimally invasive and traditional), hammertoe repair, ankle sprain and instability treatment, Achilles tendon repair, sports injury management, ingrown toenail treatment, diabetic foot monitoring, custom orthotics, and surgical consultation. Telehealth initial consultations allow Troy and Rochester Hills patients to assess their situation remotely before scheduling an in-person visit to Howell.
Why Troy and Rochester Hills Patients Choose Balance Foot & Ankle
Eastern Oakland County is not underserved by podiatric practitioners—Troy and Rochester Hills have local options. The patients who choose to drive to Balance Foot & Ankle typically cite two factors: Dr. Biernacki’s surgical expertise for complex conditions, and the practice’s commitment to evidence-based, personalized care rather than assembly-line volume practice. Patients seeking a second opinion after unsatisfying local evaluations, those with complex bunion deformities, Charcot foot, ankle instability requiring surgery, or recurrent ingrown toenails that have not responded to office procedures frequently make the 50-minute drive for definitive management.
Schedule Your Appointment from Troy or Rochester Hills
Call (517) 579-1881 or visit MichiganFootDoctors.com to request your appointment. Telehealth consultations are available for initial assessments. Same-week appointments are available for acute injuries and urgent concerns.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
CURREX RunPro Insole — High Arch
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Dynamic insole designed for runners. Matches individual arch profiles with three arch-height options. Ideal for Paint Creek Trail runners and competitive athletes in Troy and Rochester Hills.
Dr. Tom says: “I run the Paint Creek Trail 4 days a week. These insoles resolved my plantar fasciitis and I PR’d my half marathon.”
Recreational runners, trail athletes, competitive high school and collegiate runners
Diabetic patients or those requiring maximum cushion/protection
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Zamst A2-DX Ankle Brace
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High-performance functional ankle brace used by professional athletes. Provides medial and lateral support with figure-eight strapping for chronic ankle instability during sports.
Dr. Tom says: “My Rochester Hills soccer player wore this after an ankle sprain and returned to play safely in 3 weeks.”
High school and recreational athletes returning from ankle sprains or managing chronic instability
Acute fresh fractures or post-operative patients
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Complex surgical cases—bunion revision, ankle instability, Charcot foot—handled by an experienced specialist rather than general podiatrist
- Telehealth initial consultation option minimizes drive time for Troy/Rochester Hills patients with busy schedules
- Evidence-based, individualized treatment plans rather than cookie-cutter protocols
❌ Cons / Risks
- 50–55 minute drive from Troy/Rochester Hills is significant—best suited for patients with complex needs or those seeking second opinions
- Local Troy/Rochester Hills podiatrists may be more convenient for routine care like nail trimming or simple wart treatment
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Troy and Rochester Hills patients are some of the most engaged and well-researched patients I see. They’ve often done extensive research before calling, and they have specific questions and expectations. I appreciate that. They’re not looking for a quick answer—they want a real diagnosis and a sound plan. The patients who make the 50-minute drive from that corridor typically come because something wasn’t resolved locally, and I consider it my job to earn that trust with thorough evaluation and transparent communication about all options including conservative care.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Troy to Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell?
Approximately 50–55 minutes via I-75 north to M-59 west (or vice versa). The drive is straightforward on major highways. We recommend scheduling telehealth for initial consultations and planning in-person visits for procedures, surgical evaluations, or when physical examination is essential.
Does Dr. Biernacki see high school athletes from Troy and Rochester Hills?
Yes. We regularly see high school athletes from throughout Oakland County for sports-related foot and ankle injuries. Ankle sprains, stress fractures, Sever’s disease, Achilles tendinopathy, and turf toe are common presentations. Return-to-sport timelines are communicated clearly so athletes, parents, and coaches can plan appropriately.
Can I get a second opinion from Dr. Biernacki without leaving Troy?
Yes—telehealth second opinion consultations are available. You can share imaging reports and describe your situation remotely. Dr. Biernacki provides honest assessment of whether the recommended treatment is appropriate, if alternative options exist, and whether a full in-person evaluation is warranted.
What complex foot conditions does Dr. Biernacki treat that local podiatrists might refer out?
Conditions commonly referred to Dr. Biernacki include: Lisfranc injuries and midfoot arthritis, complex bunion deformities requiring Lapidus fusion, Charcot foot reconstruction, ankle instability requiring Broström ligament reconstruction, insertional Achilles calcific tendinopathy, and revision surgery after failed prior procedures.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon 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 reached over one million views.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)