4.9 stars · 1,123+ reviews · Same-week visits
Royal Oak podiatrist — Heel Pain, Bunion & Ingrown Nail Specialists
Royal Oak patients drive 12 minutes (5 miles) to our Bloomfield office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 for board-certified foot & ankle care — without the hospital wait.
4.9★★★★★
From 1,123+ verified patients
950K+
YouTube subscribers learn from Dr. Tom
3
Board-certified podiatric surgeons
12min
From Royal Oak to our Bloomfield office
Why Royal Oak Patients Choose Us
Royal Oak professionals get a real podiatrist visit without the Beaumont referral wait
Our Bloomfield office sits just 12 minutes from downtown Royal Oak, which means Royal Oak families skip the hospital network bottlenecks and get same-week diagnostic imaging, conservative-first treatment plans, and surgery only when truly indicated.
Same-week appointments
Call before 10 AM for next-day slots when our schedule permits. New patients average 3–5 business days from call to first visit.
On-site digital imaging
Digital X-ray and ultrasound in the office. Most Royal Oak patients leave their first visit with diagnosis, imaging, and a treatment plan — no second appointment to start care.
Conservative care first
We exhaust non-surgical options — orthotics, EPAT, MLS laser, injections — before discussing surgery. 3,000+ surgeries performed when truly needed.
Common in Royal Oak
Foot & ankle conditions we treat for Royal Oak patients
- Plantar fasciitis & heel pain — common in Royal Oak runners (Detroit Zoo perimeter, Beaumont area) and walk-everywhere downtown residents.
- Bunion correction — Lapiplasty 3D, MICA, and traditional bunionectomy. Outpatient same-day surgery.
- Ingrown toenails — 15-minute office procedure under local anesthetic. Most Royal Oak patients schedule same week.
- Morton’s neuroma — burning ball-of-foot pain from years of dress shoes. Conservative-first plan starting at first visit.
- Achilles tendonitis — from Royal Oak’s active running and tennis community. Same-week diagnostic ultrasound.
- Toenail fungus — laser, oral, and topical options. Straight-talk on what actually clears it.
Don’t see your problem? Call (810) 206-1402 — we treat the full range of foot and ankle problems.
Meet your podiatrists
Three board-certified specialists serving Royal Oak
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS
Triple board-certified · 950K+ YouTube
Lapiplasty-certified bunion surgeon. 3,000+ surgical cases. Education-first approach.
View Dr. Tom’s bio →
Dr. Carl Jay, DPM
Fellowship-trained · Reconstruction
Cases other surgeons refer. Revision and complex reconstruction specialist.
View Dr. Jay’s bio →
Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM
Bilingual · Gentle hands
Anxious patients request her. Bilingual care. AACFAS-certified.
View Dr. Gutkin’s bio →Getting Here From Royal Oak
12-minute drive from Royal Oak to our Bloomfield office
Driving directions
From Royal Oak, head north on Woodward Ave from downtown Royal Oak — the office is at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 just past Square Lake Road. The office is at 43494 Woodward Ave #208. Free parking on site, wheelchair accessible entrance, well-lit lot.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Bloomfield43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
☎ (810) 206-1402
Mon–Fri 8 AM – 5 PM
Royal Oak-area neighborhoods we serve
Downtown Royal Oak, Northwood neighborhood, Vinsetta Boulevard area, Normandy Oaks, Pleasant Ridge border.
Landmarks near our Royal Oak patients
Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak Farmers Market, Downtown Royal Oak (Main Street), Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak, Memorial Park, Starr Park, Worden Park, Royal Oak High School.
Insurance accepted for Royal Oak patients
Most insurance plans, free verification
We participate with major insurers covering Royal Oak and the broader Oakland County area: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan + BCN, Priority Health, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare and Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (most plans), Tricare, Workers’ Compensation, and most major regional plans. Corewell Health Beaumont Royal Oak, Henry Ford Birmingham referrals welcome. Self-pay patients get transparent pricing — call (810) 206-1402 for a quick verification.
Common questions from Royal Oak
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Royal Oak to your Bloomfield office?
Typical Royal Oak patients arrive in 12 minutes. The route is north on Woodward Ave from downtown Royal Oak — the office is at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 just past Square Lake Road. We’re 5 miles from downtown Royal Oak.
Can I get a same-week appointment as a new Royal Oak patient?
Yes, in most cases. Call (810) 206-1402 before 10 AM and ask about next-available slots. Acute injuries (suspected fracture, severe ingrown nail with infection) typically get same-day or next-day appointments.
Do you accept my insurance?
We participate with BCBS of Michigan, BCN, Priority Health, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, most Medicaid plans, Tricare, and Workers’ Comp. Free insurance verification before your visit — we’ll tell you what’s covered up front.
I was treated elsewhere — can I transfer care from another Royal Oak-area podiatrist?
Absolutely. Bring imaging and records, or have your prior provider fax them to us before your visit. Many Royal Oak patients come to us for a second opinion before scheduling surgery elsewhere.
Do you see children from Royal Oak?
Yes — we see patients age 4 and up. Common pediatric cases: in-toeing, sports injuries from Royal Oak youth athletics, ingrown toenails, warts, heel pain (Sever’s).
Is your Howell office closer for me?
Possibly — the same three doctors see patients at both offices. Our Howell location may be a shorter drive from some parts of Royal Oak. Call (810) 206-1402 and the front desk will book you at the closer office with the next available slot.
Ready to book your Royal Oak foot & ankle visit?
Same-week appointments. Most insurance accepted. Three board-certified doctors, two convenient offices. The front desk will route you to the next slot at the location closest to Royal Oak.
Watch & Learn
Bunion correction explained by Dr. Tom
Royal Oak walkers and runners. Modern bunion correction options explained. 950K+ subscribers watch Dr. Tom on YouTube.
Also Serving Nearby
Other communities near Royal Oak
Not seeing your city? Call (810) 206-1402 — we serve patients from across both counties.
Balance Foot & Ankle near Royal Oak
Our nearest office and nearby communities we serve:
- Nearest office: Bloomfield Hills podiatrist
- Troy podiatrist
- Birmingham podiatrist
- All Balance Foot & Ankle locations
Foot & ankle services we provide in Royal Oak: plantar fasciitis & heel pain treatment, ingrown toenail removal, diabetic foot care, custom orthotics, hammertoe correction, and neuropathy treatment for Royal Oak patients.