Sports Podiatry in SE Michigan | Athlete Foot & Ankle Care | Dr. Biernacki

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

Sports podiatry addresses the foot and ankle injuries, biomechanical inefficiencies, and performance limitations that affect athletes and active individuals across all sports. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Southeast Michigan, Dr. Tom Biernacki has specific expertise in running-related injuries, ankle instability, and the biomechanical assessment that identifies why athletes get injured — enabling targeted treatment and prevention strategies rather than generic “rest and ice” advice.

Most Common Sports Podiatry Conditions

Running injuries: plantar fasciitis (most common in runners — related to training load, footwear, and foot type), Achilles tendinopathy (mid-substance and insertional, driven by rapid volume increases), stress fractures (metatarsal stress fractures from forefoot-strike running; navicular stress fractures in high-demand athletes — require CT for diagnosis and often non-weight-bearing treatment), and tibial band friction syndrome. Ankle injuries: lateral ankle sprains (most common acute athletic injury — 85% involve the ATFL, appropriate rehabilitation prevents chronic instability), syndesmotic (high) ankle sprains (typically from external rotation forces, more serious than lateral sprains, require longer recovery), and chronic ankle instability (functional instability after inadequately rehabilitated sprains, treated with bracing + proprioceptive training, surgical Broström-Gould reconstruction for refractory cases). Ball-of-foot injuries: sesamoiditis and sesamoid fractures in push-off athletes; Morton’s neuroma from tight athletic footwear; plantar plate tears in athletes who repetitively load the lesser toes. Heel pain: insertional Achilles tendinopathy (with or without Haglund’s deformity) is particularly common in athletes wearing stiff-countered athletic shoes.

Biomechanical Assessment for Athletes

Most recurring sports injuries have a biomechanical component that standard treatment fails to address. Dr. Biernacki’s sports podiatry evaluation includes: gait analysis (observational assessment of running and walking mechanics — identifying overpronation, supination, crossover gait, cadence issues, and foot strike pattern); functional assessment (single-leg squat mechanics, heel raise endurance, ankle dorsiflexion range); footwear analysis (midsole wear pattern, counter integrity, appropriate stability level for foot type); custom orthotic prescription for sport-specific applications; and return-to-sport clearance criteria based on functional testing rather than time alone. The goal: identify and address the structural or training factors driving injury, not just treat the injury in isolation.

Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available

Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sports injuries heal faster with an accurate diagnosis. Contact Balance Foot & Ankle in Southeast Michigan for athletic foot and ankle assessment with Dr. Biernacki.

Most Common Mistake We See

The most common mistake we see is: Waiting too long before seeking care. Fix: any foot pain lasting more than 4 weeks, or any sudden severe symptom, deserves a professional evaluation rather than more rest.

Warning Signs That Need Same-Day Care

Get Expert Help at Balance Foot & Ankle

If this condition is affecting your daily activities or hasn’t improved with home treatment, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Tom Biernacki. We offer same-day appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills locations and accept most insurance including Medicare. Most patients are walking comfortably within 4-6 weeks of starting our protocol — conservative care first, surgery only when needed.

Call (248) 337-5500 or request an appointment online. Our team responds within 1 business hour during clinic days.

What is Foot pain?

Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.

Symptoms and warning signs

Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.

Conservative treatment options

Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.

Recovery timeline and prevention

Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.