Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
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Podiatrist vs. Orthopedic Surgeon: Understanding the Difference
Patients with foot and ankle problems frequently face the question of whether to see a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon — and the right answer depends on understanding what each specialty offers and what your specific condition requires. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, Michigan, we’re asked this question regularly and provide an honest answer: for most foot and ankle conditions, a board-certified podiatric physician and surgeon is the most appropriate specialist. Here’s why, and when orthopedic care might be the better choice.
What Is a Podiatric Physician and Surgeon?
Podiatric physicians (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) complete a four-year podiatric medical school curriculum followed by a three-year surgical residency program focused exclusively on foot, ankle, and lower leg conditions. Board-certified podiatric surgeons (ABFAS certification) have passed rigorous written and oral examinations in foot and/or ankle surgery. The training is comprehensive and subspecialty-focused: podiatrists spend their entire medical education learning the foot and ankle in greater depth than a general orthopedic surgeon who has trained across all musculoskeletal conditions. Procedures like bunion correction, hammertoe surgery, ankle arthroscopy, flatfoot reconstruction, and Achilles repair are everyday work for foot and ankle podiatric surgeons.
What Is a Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgeon?
Orthopedic surgeons complete a five-year orthopedic surgical residency training across all musculoskeletal surgery — spine, hip, knee, shoulder, hand, and foot/ankle. Some orthopedic surgeons then complete a one-year fellowship specifically in foot and ankle surgery, gaining subspecialty expertise comparable to a podiatric surgeon. A fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon has excellent training for complex foot and ankle surgery. However, many orthopedic surgeons who see foot patients have not done a foot and ankle fellowship — they are general orthopedic surgeons whose foot and ankle experience is among many subspecialties rather than their primary focus.
When to Choose Each Specialist
Choose a board-certified podiatric physician and surgeon for: virtually all foot and ankle conditions including bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, ankle sprains, Morton’s neuroma, ingrown toenails, fungal infections, diabetic foot care, custom orthotics, and surgical management of most foot and ankle conditions. Choose a fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon when: trauma requiring management within an orthopedic trauma service (high-energy pilon fractures, complex ankle fracture-dislocations), conditions with significant involvement above the ankle (tibial fractures, knee-to-foot problems requiring a single provider). In reality, the specific surgeon’s training, experience, and volume with your specific condition matters more than whether their degree is DPM or MD. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 for a consultation — we’re happy to be direct about whether your condition is one we can best address or whether another specialist would serve you better.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
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Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your AppointmentMore Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials
Hoka Clifton 10
Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
PowerStep Pinnacle Insole
- The Pinnacle Full length insoles for men & women provide maximum cushioning, from high activity to moderate support. The PowerStep arch support shape provides stability to the foot and ankle, helping to relieve foot pain.
- When you spend all day on your feet, every step counts. PowerStep insoles are a podiatrist-recommended orthotic to help relieve & prevent foot pain related to athletes, runners, Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs & other common foot, ankle & knee injuries
- The Pinnacle plantar fasciitis insoles offer superior heel cushioning and arch support. The dual-layer cushioning is designed to reduce stress and fatigue, while PowerStep premium arch support is designed for plantar fasciitis relief.
- The PowerStep Pinnacle arch support inserts for men & women can be worn in a variety of shoe types such as; athletic, walking, running, work & some casual shoes. Orthotic Inserts are ordered by shoe size, no trimming required.
- Made in the USA & backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. PowerStep orthotic inserts for men & women are designed for shoes where the factory insole can be removed. HSA & FSA Eligible
The podiatrist-recommended over-the-counter orthotic.
OOFOS Recovery Slide
- The Original Recovery Footwear.
- Finding Your Size - For your perfect fit, consult the “size chart” link above. Wear a half size? In general, we recommend that women who wear a ½ size size UP, and men who wear a ½ size size DOWN
- OOahh - An evolution of the OOriginal, the OOahh slide features our proven foundation of OOfoam technology + patented footbed design with a slide-style strap that has become a best-seller in the OOFOS line
- OOfoam Technology - Our revolutionary OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foams to reduce the stress on your feet, joints & back. Plus, the closed-cell foam is machine washable and designed to minimize odor
- Patented Footbed - Our patented footbed cradles and supports arches to reduce energy exertion in the ankles by up to 47% compared to competitors’ footwear. So walking is easier. Recovery is faster. And yOO feel better
Impact-absorbing recovery sandal — wear after long days on your feet.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)
If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist + Amazon Associate. Picks shown are products he prescribes to patients at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All products independently tested + reviewed for 30+ days minimum. Last verified: April 28, 2026.
PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Dr. Tom’s most-prescribed OTC orthotic. Lateral wedge corrects overpronation that causes 90% of foot pain. Deep heel cradle stabilizes the ankle. Built by podiatrists, used by patients worldwide.
- Lateral wedge corrects pronation
- Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
- Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
- Trim-to-fit any shoe
- Used by 10,000+ podiatrists
- Trim-to-size required
- 5-7 day break-in for some
CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
3 arch heights for custom fit (Low/Med/High). Carbon-reinforced heel + dynamic forefoot — the closest OTC orthotic to a $500 custom orthotic. Engineered in Germany.
- 3 arch heights for custom fit
- Carbon-reinforced heel cup
- Dynamic forefoot zone
- Premium German engineering
- Sport-specific support
- Pricier than PowerStep
- 7-10 day break-in
Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Menthol-based natural pain relief — Dr. Tom’s #1 brand for fast relief without greasy residue. Safe for diabetics + daily use. Cleaner formula than Voltaren or Biofreeze.
- Menthol-based natural formula
- No greasy residue
- Safe for diabetics
- Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
- Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze
- Pricier than Biofreeze
- Strong menthol scent at first
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)