Podiatry Near Me Michigan 2026 | Balance Foot & Ankle

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Finding the Right Podiatrist in Michigan

Searching “podiatrist near me” returns a list — but choosing the right podiatrist involves more than geographic proximity. Board certification, subspecialty fellowship training, available diagnostic technology, and the practice’s ability to actually see you quickly all determine whether you’ll receive the level of care your foot problem deserves. Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle combines all of these factors with two strategically located Southeast Michigan offices designed to serve the largest possible patient population within a reasonable drive.

Our Two Southeast Michigan Locations

Balance Foot & Ankle serves Southeast Michigan from two offices. Our Howell location serves Livingston County — including Brighton, Hamburg Township, Hartland, Pinckney, Fowlerville, and all surrounding rural communities. Our Bloomfield Hills location serves Oakland County — including Troy, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Waterford, Pontiac, Rochester, and the greater Detroit metro corridor. Between the two offices, the practice provides convenient access to Board-Certified podiatric care for over 2 million Michigan residents.

What Sets Balance Foot & Ankle Apart

Fellowship training distinguishes Dr. Biernacki from many general podiatrists. Fellowship-trained podiatric surgeons complete an additional year of intensive surgical training after residency — equivalent to surgical subspecialty fellowship in other medical specialties. This training encompasses complex reconstructive surgery, trauma, sports medicine, and minimally invasive techniques that exceed the scope of standard podiatric residency training.

Same-week scheduling is a genuine commitment — not a marketing promise. Dr. Biernacki understands that patients with acute foot pain cannot and should not wait weeks for evaluation. Our scheduling system reserves capacity for new patient appointments, ensuring most patients are seen within 5–7 business days. Urgent concerns — suspected fractures, infections, and diabetic foot complications — are typically accommodated within 24–48 hours.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

New patients at Balance Foot & Ankle receive a comprehensive evaluation including detailed history, physical examination, weight-bearing gait assessment, and any necessary in-office imaging (digital X-ray or diagnostic ultrasound). Dr. Biernacki takes time to explain his findings clearly, presents all treatment options including conservative and surgical approaches, and develops a plan aligned with the patient’s activity goals and lifestyle. Patients leave each appointment with a clear understanding of their diagnosis and a concrete treatment path — not just a referral to return in six weeks.

Insurance and Self-Pay Options

Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans across both locations: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Priority Health, United Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid for qualifying patients. For patients without insurance, transparent self-pay pricing is available. Call (810) 588-0985 or visit michiganfootdoctors.com to verify your coverage and schedule your appointment.

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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.

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot and ankle condition, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

See a podiatrist if: foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2–4 weeks without improvement, you’re changing your gait to avoid pain, you have an open wound or sore that isn’t healing, you notice nail discoloration or thickening, you have diabetes and any foot concern, or pain is severe enough to wake you at night. Most foot conditions are easier and cheaper to treat early — what starts as a minor issue can become a surgical problem with months of delay.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specialize exclusively in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedic surgeons (MD/DO) have broader musculoskeletal training but variable foot/ankle subspecialization. For foot and ankle-specific problems, a podiatrist often has more focused training and experience. For injuries involving the leg above the ankle, complex pediatric cases, or multi-level reconstruction, orthopedic consultation may be appropriate. We frequently co-manage patients with orthopedic colleagues.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Signs that warrant same-day or next-day evaluation: severe pain that appeared suddenly without clear cause, swelling, redness, and warmth that appeared suddenly (possible gout, infection, or Charcot fracture), an open wound that looks infected (redness spreading, pus, warmth), inability to bear weight, or any foot problem in a diabetic patient. Pain that’s been present for weeks and is stable is important but not an emergency — schedule within 1–2 weeks.

Can foot problems cause back and knee pain?

Yes — this is a kinetic chain effect. Abnormal foot mechanics (overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy) cause compensatory changes in knee, hip, and lumbar alignment. Roughly 30% of patients presenting to our clinic with knee pain have a treatable foot-level biomechanical cause. Correcting foot mechanics with orthotics or appropriate footwear often provides significant knee and back relief. If you have chronic knee or back pain and haven’t had your foot mechanics evaluated, it’s worth a consult.

Are orthotics worth it?

For the right conditions, yes — custom orthotics are among the most cost-effective interventions in podiatry. They’re most effective for: plantar fasciitis, flat feet with secondary knee/back pain, leg length discrepancy, metatarsalgia, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and diabetic foot pressure management. Quality OTC orthotics ($35–60) resolve symptoms for 60% of patients with mild-to-moderate conditions. Custom orthotics are appropriate when OTC options have failed or when the biomechanical problem is complex. We cast custom orthotics in-office.

How do I choose the right running shoes?

Start with your foot type (flat, neutral, high arch) and running pattern (overpronator, neutral, supinator). Flat feet and overpronators do best in stability or motion-control shoes. Neutral feet do well in neutral-cushioned shoes. High arches need maximum cushioning with flexible soles. Always buy running shoes at the end of the day (foot swelling peaks then), get properly fitted by a specialist, and replace every 300–500 miles. If you’ve been injured repeatedly, a gait analysis can identify the mechanical flaw driving your injury pattern.

What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

A sprain is a ligament injury (the tissue connecting bones); a fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can occur with the same trauma (ankle roll, fall). The old test — ‘if you can walk, it’s not broken’ — is wrong; many fractures are initially weight-bearable. Key differences: a fracture typically produces localized bone tenderness along the bone itself, while a sprain is tender over the ligament. X-ray is the standard to differentiate. High-grade sprains without proper treatment can be as disabling as fractures.

How do I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

The four most impactful prevention strategies: (1) Supportive, appropriately fitted footwear for your foot type and activity. (2) Gradual activity progression — the 10% rule (never increase weekly mileage or intensity by more than 10%). (3) Regular calf and ankle mobility work. (4) Strengthening the posterior tibial tendon, peroneals, and intrinsic foot muscles. Most overuse injuries are preventable; most acute injuries are not — but ankle sprain recurrence (60–70% without rehab) is prevented by balance and proprioception training.

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