Vascular Foot Care in Michigan — When Poor Circulation Threatens Your Feet

Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS

Board-certified foot & ankle surgeon · 3,000+ surgeries · @MichiganFootDoctors (950K+ subscribers)

Last reviewed May 11, 2026 · (810) 206-1402

Quick answer: Circulation decides what is possible with everything else in the foot. A wound will not close, and surgery should not be planned, without knowing whether enough blood is reaching the area. Pulses and a simple pressure test answer it. Book online or call (810) 206-1402.

Vascular Foot Care in Michigan — When Poor Circulation Threatens Your Feet

When Circulation Problems Reach Your Feet

Your feet are the farthest point from your heart. When circulation problems develop, your feet are the first to suffer — and the last to heal. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, we specialize in vascular foot care for patients across Michigan, working closely with Vassallo Medical Group to identify and manage vascular foot problems before they become emergencies.

Signs of Vascular Foot Problems

Poor circulation in the feet can present in many ways. Patients with vascular disease often notice cold feet that won’t warm up, changes in foot color (pale, blue, or red when dangling), hair loss on the toes and lower legs, thin or shiny skin on the feet, wounds or cuts that heal very slowly, pain when walking that improves with rest (claudication), and weak or absent pulses in the foot.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek evaluation promptly — these are not normal signs of aging.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): The Most Common Culprit

Peripheral arterial disease occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup. PAD affects 8–12 million Americans and is significantly underdiagnosed. Risk factors include smoking (the single greatest modifiable risk), diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and age over 50.

PAD dramatically increases the risk of serious foot complications because even minor injuries — a small cut, a blister, an ingrown toenail — can fail to heal when blood flow is insufficient, potentially progressing to infection and in severe cases, amputation.

Our Vascular Foot Assessment

When you visit Balance Foot & Ankle for a vascular foot evaluation, we perform a thorough in-office assessment that includes checking for pedal pulses, evaluating skin color, temperature, and texture, testing capillary refill, assessing for skin breakdown, and reviewing your vascular risk factors. When needed, we refer for non-invasive vascular studies.

How We Treat Vascular Foot Conditions

Our treatment approach for vascular patients focuses on protecting the feet from injury while supporting circulation. This includes medical-grade nail and callus care, wound care and infection prevention, pressure offloading with custom 3D-printed orthotics, diabetic shoe fitting (Medicare-covered), REMY laser therapy which improves microcirculation, and close coordination with your primary care physician.

Don’t Wait for a Wound

Vascular foot problems worsen silently — by the time a wound develops, circulation may already be severely compromised. If you have risk factors for PAD or have noticed any symptoms of poor circulation, call Balance Foot & Ankle today: (810) 206-1402. We serve patients from Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, Pinckney, and all of Livingston County at our Howell office, and Oakland County patients at our Bloomfield Township location.

Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.

Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Township office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Week Appointments Available

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

Ready for Expert Care?

Same-week appointments in Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI.

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Or call: (810) 206-1402