Need to be seen today? Book online now.
Both offices show real openings in real time, including same-day and next-day slots. No account, no login, no waiting on hold.
Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — board-certified foot & ankle surgeon. Last reviewed May 2026.
Foot pain today? We can usually see you today.
Foot pain does not follow a schedule. Whether you woke up unable to walk, rolled your ankle, or have a diabetic foot wound that needs attention now, we hold same-day appointments at both our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. The fastest way to claim one is to book online above — the scheduler shows genuine live availability rather than a request form, so you will know within a minute whether we can see you today.
What counts as a podiatric emergency?
These situations warrant same-day care. Do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Sudden severe foot or ankle pain — especially if you cannot bear weight.
- Visible deformity — a bone that appears out of place, a toe pointing the wrong direction, or significant swelling with bruising.
- Signs of infection — redness spreading from a wound, warmth, pus, or fever.
- Any diabetic foot wound. Any break in the skin on a diabetic foot is an emergency. What looks minor can become limb-threatening within days.
- Ingrown toenail with infection — redness, swelling, drainage, or increasing pain.
- Sudden inability to walk after a fall or a twist.
- Foreign object in the foot — glass, a splinter, a nail. These need professional removal to prevent infection.
Go to an emergency room instead if: you see red streaks moving up the leg, you have a fever with a foot wound, you have an open fracture with bone visible, or you have lost sensation and colour in the foot. Those need hospital-level care, not an office visit.
Walk-in vs same-day: how it actually works
We are not a walk-in clinic in the retail sense, and we would rather tell you that plainly than have you drive over and wait. What we do instead is hold openings each day for urgent problems. In practice that means most people searching for a walk-in podiatrist get seen faster by booking one of those slots online than by turning up unannounced.
If the online scheduler shows nothing today, call the office. Cancellations open up through the day and are not always reflected instantly, and our front desk can tell you which of the two locations has the earlier opening.
What to expect at a same-day visit
You will not be rushed because you booked urgently. A same-day visit includes a complete examination of the affected area, digital X-ray in our office when it is needed — no outside referral, results read immediately — a diagnosis, and a treatment plan you leave with.
Many problems are treated the same day, in the same visit: ingrown nail removal, wound debridement, joint injections, abscess drainage, and casting or splinting for fractures.
Bring your insurance card, a list of current medications, and the shoes you wear most. If you are diabetic, bring your most recent A1C if you have it.
Two Michigan locations, both offering same-day care
Howell — Livingston County
4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843. Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Serving Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, Pinckney and Fenton.
Bloomfield Township — Oakland County
43494 Woodward Ave #208, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302. Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Serving Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield and Farmington Hills.
Cannot come in? Home visits are available.
For patients who cannot travel — post-surgical, elderly, or homebound — we provide podiatry home visits across Livingston and Oakland Counties. Home visits are arranged by our office rather than booked online, because we confirm the address and coverage area before a doctor drives out.
Common questions
How quickly can I actually get in?
The online scheduler is the honest answer — it shows real openings rather than an estimate. Same-day slots exist most days and go early, so booking first thing gives the best chance.
Do you take my insurance?
We accept Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, HAP and Priority Health, among others. See insurance and costs, or ask the front desk to verify your benefits before the visit.
Can I be seen as a new patient?
Yes. New and existing patients both book through the same scheduler, and no referral is needed for most plans.
Which office should I choose?
Whichever has the earlier opening. Both offices are staffed by the same board-certified team and carry the same in-office X-ray and same-day procedures.
Claim a same-day opening
Live availability at both offices. Booking takes about a minute.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) 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 made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.
More questions patients ask
Can I get a same-day podiatrist appointment in Michigan?
Yes — Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-day and next-day appointments for urgent foot problems at our Howell and Bloomfield Township Michigan locations. We prioritize urgent issues including severe heel or ankle pain, ingrown toenails (especially infected), acute sports injuries, diabetic foot wounds, and anything causing significant difficulty walking. Call (810) 206-1402 first thing in the morning for same-day availability.
What foot problems require a same-day appointment?
Foot problems that should be seen same-day include: infected ingrown toenail (with increasing redness/pus), acute ankle sprain (to rule out fracture), severe sudden heel or foot pain, diabetic foot wound (any wound on a diabetic foot should be evaluated within 24-48 hours), suspected fracture, gout attack with severe pain, and acute swelling of the foot/ankle after injury.
How do I prepare for an emergency podiatry appointment?
For an urgent appointment: take photos of the problem if it's a wound or visible change, note when symptoms started and what made them worse, bring a list of current medications, bring your insurance card, wear loose-fitting shoes or sandals that can be easily removed, and if possible, bring your regular shoes for the doctor to assess. Don't wear nail polish if you have a toenail concern.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle treat walk-in patients?
We accept urgent walk-ins when schedule allows, though calling ahead ensures you're seen quickly. Our Howell location (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township location (43494 Woodward Ave Suite 208) both accommodate urgent cases. For the fastest service, call (810) 206-1402 in the morning — our staff can often fit urgent cases into the schedule same-day.
What conditions require same-day podiatry care?
Seek same-day podiatry evaluation for: signs of foot infection (redness spreading, pus, warmth, fever); painful ingrown toenail with infection; acute gout attack (sudden severe big toe pain); ankle sprain with inability to bear weight; new open wound in a diabetic patient; foreign body in foot; sudden severe heel pain; or any rapidly worsening foot condition. For true emergencies (suspected fracture, severe infection, vascular compromise), go to the emergency room.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle accept walk-in patients?
Balance Foot & Ankle prioritizes scheduled appointments but can often accommodate urgent same-day cases. Call (810) 206-1402 first thing in the morning for same-day availability. We serve patients from throughout Livingston County (Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Fowlerville) at our Howell office and Oakland County (Bloomfield Township, Troy, Birmingham, Farmington Hills) at our Bloomfield Township office.
What should I bring to a same-day podiatry appointment?
Bring: insurance card and photo ID; list of current medications (especially blood thinners, diabetes medications, and any antibiotics already started); previous X-rays or imaging if available; comfortable shoes that are easy to remove; and any relevant medical records (recent lab work, A1C for diabetics). If you have an infected wound, do not soak or apply creams before the appointment — the podiatrist needs to assess the condition as-is.
What foot conditions require same-day urgent podiatry care?
Seek same-day care for: suspected foot fractures or dislocations, rapidly spreading redness or infection, diabetic foot wounds showing signs of infection, severe acute heel pain that prevents walking, ingrown toenails with significant infection, and sudden loss of sensation or color change in the foot. Balance Foot & Ankle treats these urgently — call (810) 206-1402 immediately.
What should I do if I cannot get a same-day appointment for a foot emergency?
If your foot condition is severe and Balance Foot & Ankle cannot see you the same day, we will advise you on appropriate next steps including urgent care or emergency room referral when necessary. Diabetic patients with infected wounds should not wait — if you cannot reach us, proceed directly to an emergency room for evaluation.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle take walk-ins?
Balance Foot & Ankle primarily operates by appointment, but we make every effort to accommodate urgent walk-in patients when scheduling allows. Calling ahead at (810) 206-1402 gives us the opportunity to prepare for your visit and minimize your wait time. Our Howell office is at 4330 E Grand River and Bloomfield Township at 43494 Woodward Ave #208.
Is it better to see a podiatrist or go to urgent care for foot problems?
For most foot and ankle conditions, a podiatrist is the better choice because we specialize in foot and ankle medicine and can provide more comprehensive, specialized care. Urgent care is appropriate when podiatry is unavailable and the condition is urgent. Balance Foot & Ankle's same-day appointment availability means most patients can see a specialist without resorting to urgent care.
Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.