Second Opinion for Foot Surgery: When You Should Get One

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

Your Right to a Second Opinion

A recommendation for foot or ankle surgery is a significant medical decision that deserves careful consideration. Seeking a second opinion is not disloyal to your current provider — it is a responsible approach to your health care. Experienced physicians support second opinions for major procedures and welcome the confirmation that your treatment plan is appropriate. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, Michigan, we provide second opinion consultations for patients who want confidence before proceeding with surgery.

When a Second Opinion Is Strongly Advisable

Consider a second opinion when: the proposed surgery is elective (not emergency), the surgeon recommends a procedure before you have tried conservative treatment, the proposed surgery is complex or carries significant recovery time, you have not been clearly informed of non-surgical alternatives and why they are inadequate for your situation, you are uncertain whether your surgeon is a fellowship-trained specialist in the specific procedure recommended, or you feel uncertain or uncomfortable with the recommendation for any reason.

What Distinguishes a Good Surgical Candidate

Appropriate foot surgery candidates have: a confirmed diagnosis consistent with their symptoms, significant functional limitation from their condition, documented failure of appropriate conservative treatment over an adequate duration (typically 3-6 months for most conditions), realistic expectations about surgical outcomes and recovery, and absence of medical contraindications to surgery. Second opinions often reveal that additional conservative options have not been exhausted, or conversely confirm that surgery is indeed the appropriate next step.

Specialist vs. General Podiatry for Complex Surgery

Complex foot and ankle procedures — ankle replacement, major reconstructive surgery for flatfoot or cavus foot, Charcot joint reconstruction, revision bunion surgery — benefit from surgeons with subspecialty fellowship training in foot and ankle surgery. When evaluating surgeons for complex procedures, ask about fellowship training, case volume for the specific procedure, and outcomes data. Board-certified podiatric surgeons at Balance Foot & Ankle perform Balance Foot and Ankle surgery with specialized training appropriate to complex cases.

How to Get a Second Opinion

Request your medical records and imaging from the first provider (this is your right under HIPAA). Bring all documentation to the second opinion appointment. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule a second opinion consultation at our Howell or Bloomfield Township office — we accept most major Michigan insurance plans and can often see patients within a week for consultation appointments.

Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.

Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

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Considering Foot Surgery? A Second Opinion Can Help

Getting a second opinion before foot surgery is smart medicine, not an insult to your doctor. Dr. Tom Biernacki provides thorough second opinion evaluations with honest assessment of whether surgery is truly your best option.

Learn About Our Surgical Consultations | Book Your Appointment | Call (810) 206-1402

Clinical References

1. Payne VL, et al. Referral bias and diagnostic accuracy: an understudied relationship. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. 2014;14:36.
2. Birkmeyer JD, et al. Hospital volume and surgical mortality in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;346(15):1128-1137.
3. Epstein AJ, et al. Surgical second opinions: a randomized study of the effects on surgery rates. JAMA Surgery. 2013;148(6):525-531.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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.