Quick answer: Troy Podiatrist Foot Doctor Birmingham Royal Oak South Oakland County is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. The 2026 evidence-based approach combines proper diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
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Podiatric Care for Troy, Birmingham, and South Oakland County
Troy is Oakland County’s largest city and one of Metro Detroit’s most dynamic professional communities. Birmingham and Royal Oak offer thriving downtowns with active, health-conscious populations. Balance Foot & Ankle serves residents throughout this South Oakland County corridor with expert podiatric care delivered with the thoroughness and personal attention that these communities expect from their healthcare providers.
Our Bloomfield Township clinic is convenient for patients traveling from Troy, Birmingham, Berkley, Royal Oak, Madison Heights, and surrounding communities. Dr. Tom Biernacki and our clinical team provide the same evidence-based, individualized care to every patient regardless of which Oakland County community they call home.
The Active Lifestyle of South Oakland County
Troy, Birmingham, and Royal Oak residents tend to be health-conscious and physically active. The area supports extensive running clubs, youth and adult sports leagues, numerous fitness studios, and access to beautiful parks and trails. This active culture generates a predictable set of foot and ankle care needs that we address every day at our clinic.
We treat runners from the Birmingham and Troy running community dealing with plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and Achilles tendinopathy. We see youth athletes with Sever’s disease, ankle sprains, and in-toeing concerns. We work with golf enthusiasts experiencing big toe joint arthritis and with tennis players managing ankle instability. Whatever your sport or activity, we provide care that respects your goals and helps you stay active.
Professional Community Foot Care
Troy’s substantial corporate and professional workforce includes many individuals who spend long hours in business dress shoes or on their feet in client-facing roles. Professional footwear often sacrifices biomechanical support for appearance, contributing to bunion progression, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis. Custom orthotics designed for dress shoes are among our most popular services for this demographic.
Diabetic Foot Care in South Oakland County
Like all Michigan communities, South Oakland County has a significant diabetic population that benefits from proactive podiatric care. Annual comprehensive foot exams, neuropathy screening, and early wound management prevent the serious complications that lead to hospitalization and amputation. We coordinate with primary care physicians and endocrinologists throughout the Troy and Birmingham area for integrated diabetes management.
Bunion Surgery for South Oakland County Patients
Bunions are one of the most common surgical conditions we evaluate. When conservative measures no longer provide adequate pain relief, surgical correction offers lasting improvement. We discuss all available approaches including modern minimally invasive techniques where appropriate and provide honest assessment of expected outcomes and recovery timelines for every patient considering surgery.
Reach Us Easily From Troy and Birmingham
Our Bloomfield Township clinic is accessible from Troy via I-75 South or Big Beaver Road West, and from Birmingham via Woodward Avenue South. We accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible scheduling including morning appointments. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online to schedule with Balance Foot & Ankle.
Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
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📞 (810) 206-1402
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
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
Book Your AppointmentMore Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Health Essentials
Hoka Clifton 10
Max-cushion everyday shoe — podiatrist favorite for walking and running.
OOFOS Recovery Slide
Impact-absorbing recovery sandal — wear after long days on your feet.
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
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)
If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified podiatrist + Amazon Associate. Picks shown are products he prescribes to patients at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All products independently tested + reviewed for 30+ days minimum. Last verified: April 28, 2026.
PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Dr. Tom’s most-prescribed OTC orthotic. Lateral wedge corrects overpronation that causes 90% of foot pain. Deep heel cradle stabilizes the ankle. Built by podiatrists, used by patients worldwide.
- Lateral wedge corrects pronation
- Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
- Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
- Trim-to-fit any shoe
- Used by 10,000+ podiatrists
- Trim-to-size required
- 5-7 day break-in for some
CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
3 arch heights for custom fit (Low/Med/High). Carbon-reinforced heel + dynamic forefoot — the closest OTC orthotic to a $500 custom orthotic. Engineered in Germany.
- 3 arch heights for custom fit
- Carbon-reinforced heel cup
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- Premium German engineering
- Sport-specific support
- Pricier than PowerStep
- 7-10 day break-in
Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand
Menthol-based natural pain relief — Dr. Tom’s #1 brand for fast relief without greasy residue. Safe for diabetics + daily use. Cleaner formula than Voltaren or Biofreeze.
- Menthol-based natural formula
- No greasy residue
- Safe for diabetics
- Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
- Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze
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- Strong menthol scent at first
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a podiatrist?
If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).
What does treatment cost?
Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.
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.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)