Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.
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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle: EPAT Shockwave for Heel Pain →
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
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Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your AppointmentWatch: Second Toe Pain: Hammertoe & Plantar Plate Tear
Dr. Tom on 2nd toe pain — plantar plate tears, crossover toe, capsulitis, surgical repair.
Second Toe Recovery Kit
2nd MTP plantar plate pathology responds to offloading. Dr. Tom’s kit:
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Offloads 2nd MTP during healing.
Pressure redistribution.
Capsulitis inflammation.
2nd toe topical relief.
Related: Hammertoe Treatment · Metatarsalgia · Book Same-Week Appointment
Differential Diagnosis: What Else Could It Be?
Not every case of plantar plate tear is straightforward. In our clinic we routinely rule out three look-alike conditions before confirming the diagnosis. If your symptoms don’t match the classic presentation, one of these may explain the pain — which is why physical exam matters more than self-diagnosis.
| Condition | How It Differs |
|---|---|
| Metatarsalgia | Pain at metatarsal head without instability; negative drawer test at MTP. |
| Morton’s neuroma | Burning into 3rd-4th toes with positive Mulder’s click; not between 2nd-3rd. |
| Stress fracture (metatarsal) | Point tenderness on shaft, not joint; callus on follow-up imaging. |
Red Flags — When to See a Podiatrist Now
Seek same-day evaluation at Balance Foot & Ankle if you notice any of the following:
- 2nd toe visibly drifting sideways or floating above the ground
- Pain failing to improve after 6 weeks of metatarsal padding
- Progressive deformity at the 2nd MTP
- Patient diabetic with forefoot pain and deformity
Call (810) 206-1402 or request an appointment. Our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices reserve same-day slots for urgent foot and ankle issues.
In Our Clinic: What We See
Clinical perspective from Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI:
Plantar plate tear is one of the most missed diagnoses in forefoot pain. Patients come in saying ‘metatarsalgia’ but in our clinic we check the drawer test at the 2nd MTP — if the toe lifts easily, the plantar plate is compromised. Early stage responds beautifully to a metatarsal pad placed BEHIND (not under) the metatarsal head, a stiff-soled shoe, and taping the toe down. Ignored plantar plate tears progress to a ‘floating toe’ and eventual crossover toe deformity. Dr. Biernacki emphasizes early intervention — a tear caught in month 2 rarely needs surgery; caught in year 2, it almost always does.
More Podiatrist-Recommended Hammertoe Essentials
Extra-Depth Orthopedic Shoe
Orthofeet Sprint — tall toe box prevents hammertoe rubbing and friction.
Wide-Toe-Box Walking Shoe
New Balance 990v6 — accommodates curled toes without pressure.
Supportive Insole
PowerStep Pinnacle — reduces forefoot pressure that drives hammertoe.
As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are based on clinical experience; prices and availability shown above update live from Amazon.
When to See a Podiatrist
Rigid hammertoes don’t reduce with splinting alone — the tendon and capsule have contracted. If the toe no longer straightens passively, surgical correction restores alignment in one short outpatient visit. Call Balance Foot & Ankle to see whether your deformity is still flexible (and responsive to the conservative tools above) or if it’s time for a 20-minute in-office correction.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
When conservative care isn’t enough, Dr. Tom Biernacki and the team at Balance Foot & Ankle offer advanced, same-day options — including Hammertoe Treatment Michigan at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics.
Same-day appointments available. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.
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.
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)
- Hallux Valgus (Bunions): Evaluation and Management (PubMed)
- Bunions (Mayo Clinic)
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