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
Patients from Ypsilanti, Belleville, Romulus, Van Buren Township, Rawsonville, and the I-94 corridor communities receive comprehensive podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC in Howell. Dr. Tom Biernacki is a board-certified podiatrist providing expert foot and ankle diagnosis and treatment for patients from the Ypsilanti-Belleville region, where access to specialist-level podiatric care is an important community health resource.
The communities along the I-94 corridor between Ypsilanti and Romulus include automotive and logistics workers, Eastern Michigan University students, healthcare professionals, and families across a many socioeconomic backgrounds. Dr. Biernacki’s practice serves all of these populations with equal expertise and commitment, from basic nail care and diabetic foot monitoring to complex reconstructive foot surgery.
The most important clinical decision with Podiatrist Ypsilanti Belleville Romulus Michigan Balance Foot Ankle isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Podiatric Services for Ypsilanti, Belleville, and Romulus Patients
Heel pain and plantar fasciitis are among the top conditions bringing patients from Ypsilanti and Belleville to Balance Foot & Ankle. Automotive and logistics workers who spend long shifts on hard concrete surfaces are particularly vulnerable, and Dr. Biernacki’s treatment approach is designed to get these patients back to work as quickly as possible while addressing the underlying cause — not just masking pain temporarily.
Diabetic foot care is a significant priority for the I-94 corridor region. Preventive nail and skin care, wound monitoring, diabetic shoe prescriptions covered by Medicare, and ulcer management are all available. Dr. Biernacki works closely with patients’ primary care teams to ensure coordinated, comprehensive foot health management for every diabetic patient, regardless of where they live.
Bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, ankle sprains, ingrown toenails, and fungal nail infections are managed with evidence-based conservative and surgical approaches. EMU student athletes with sports injuries — ankle sprains, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis — are seen on a priority basis with return-to-sport focused treatment planning.
Getting to Balance Foot & Ankle from Ypsilanti and Belleville
The Howell clinic is accessible from Ypsilanti via US-23 North, approximately 35–45 minutes. From Belleville and Romulus, the drive via I-94 West to US-23 North is approximately 40–50 minutes. To schedule, call (517) 315-6969 or visit MichiganFootDoctors.com. Most major insurance plans are accepted. Free parking is available at the Howell clinic.
Dr. Tom’s Product Recommendations
New Balance 990 Work Shoe
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Durable, supportive work and athletic shoe for I-94 corridor workers who stand on hard surfaces — trusted by Dr. Biernacki’s patients for industrial and logistics environments.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist recommended switching from boots to these for my assembly line job. Heel pain almost gone.”
Industrial, logistics, and service workers needing supportive daily footwear for long shifts on hard floors
Workers who require steel-toe or composite-toe safety footwear for workplace compliance reasons
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Copper Fit Pro Series Compression Socks
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Graduated compression socks for reducing foot and ankle swelling during long work shifts — helpful for patients with chronic edema, venous insufficiency, or post-surgical recovery.
Dr. Tom says: “Wear these every day at work. My swollen feet and ankles are dramatically better after 8-hour shifts.”
Workers with leg swelling, venous insufficiency, or edema during prolonged standing or sitting
Patients with peripheral arterial disease — compression is contraindicated without vascular clearance
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Comprehensive podiatric care for Ypsilanti, Belleville, Romulus, and I-94 corridor communities
- Priority diabetic foot care with Medicare-covered services
- Same-week appointments with board-certified podiatrist
- Sports podiatry expertise for EMU student athletes and active community members
❌ Cons / Risks
- Clinic is in Howell — Ypsilanti patients should budget 40–50 minutes including check-in time
- US-23 North can be congested during Ann Arbor-area peak commute hours
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Ypsilanti, Belleville, and Romulus have a lot of hardworking people who don’t take time off until they absolutely have to — which means they often come in when foot problems are more advanced than they should be. My goal for every patient from that area is to get them treated and back to work as efficiently as possible, because I know that missing a shift isn’t just inconvenient — for many of my patients, it’s a real financial hardship. I take that seriously.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Howell clinic from Ypsilanti?
The Howell clinic is approximately 35–45 minutes from Ypsilanti via US-23 North. Mid-morning appointments avoid the heaviest Ann Arbor-area commuter traffic on US-23 for the most comfortable drive.
Does Dr. Biernacki treat EMU student athletes?
Yes — student athletes from Eastern Michigan University and the Ypsilanti area are welcome at Balance Foot & Ankle. Sports podiatry services including sports injury evaluation, biomechanical analysis, and return-to-sport protocols are available for athletes at all competitive levels.
What is the best insurance for podiatric care from Belleville?
Most major commercial plans are accepted including BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. For Belleville and Van Buren Township patients, it’s worth calling the office to confirm your specific plan before scheduling — benefits vary by plan type and level.
Can I walk in without an appointment for an urgent foot problem?
Walk-in appointments are not available, but urgent same-day or next-day scheduling is typically possible for acute presentations including infected ingrown toenails, significant injuries, and diabetic foot emergencies. Call (517) 315-6969 as early in the day as possible for the best chance of same-day availability.
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, FACFAS answers:
No referral is needed to see our podiatrist near Ypsilanti, Belleville, and Romulus. 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 Ypsilanti, Belleville, and Romulus area.
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.