Quick answer: What Is A Podiatrist Training Scope Practice Foot Doctor 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 Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
▶ Watch
What Is a Podiatrist?
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Michigan. Last updated April 2026.
A podiatrist — formally titled a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) — is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, medical treatment, and surgical management of conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and related structures of the lower extremity. Podiatrists are not general practitioners who happened to develop an interest in feet — they complete a dedicated medical education focused exclusively on the lower extremity, followed by residency training in foot and ankle surgery.
Podiatric Education and Training
Podiatric Medical School
Aspiring podiatrists complete a four-year undergraduate degree followed by four years at an accredited college of podiatric medicine — one of nine such institutions in the United States. The podiatric medical school curriculum parallels allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical school training in its foundational science years, covering anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, and clinical medicine. The clinical years focus on foot and ankle-specific training with rotations in surgery, radiology, dermatology, internal medicine, orthopedics, and vascular medicine.
Residency Training
Upon completing podiatric medical school, graduates enter a three-year podiatric medicine and surgery residency program accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME). Residency training includes comprehensive foot and ankle surgical training, hospital-based medicine, and a many clinical rotations. Residents perform hundreds of surgical procedures during training, developing competence in both reconstructive foot and ankle surgery and general podiatric medicine.
Board Certification
After completing residency, podiatrists may pursue board certification through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) or the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM). Board certification requires written and oral examinations and demonstrates competence in the specialty. Seeking a board-certified podiatrist ensures your provider has met established standards of training and clinical competence.
What Conditions Do Podiatrists Treat?
Podiatrists diagnose and treat the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Common medical conditions include plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendinopathy, bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, high arches, Morton neuroma, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic foot complications, gout, peripheral arterial disease manifestations, and all forms of nail and skin disease including ingrown toenails, fungal infections, plantar warts, calluses, and corns.
Podiatric surgeons perform a broad range of procedures including bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, Achilles tendon repair, ankle ligament reconstruction, ankle fusion, total ankle replacement, fracture fixation, tendon reconstruction, nerve decompression, and wound care procedures including skin grafting and amputation when necessary to preserve limb length.
How Do Podiatrists Differ from Orthopedic Surgeons?
Orthopedic surgeons are MD or DO physicians who complete orthopedic surgery residency training covering the entire musculoskeletal system — from the spine to the shoulder, hip, knee, and foot. Some orthopedic surgeons subspecialize in foot and ankle surgery through fellowship training. Podiatrists receive training focused exclusively on the foot and ankle throughout their entire medical education and residency. Both pathways produce highly capable foot and ankle surgeons — the choice between a podiatric surgeon and an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon is often a matter of availability, personal rapport, and individual surgeon experience with a specific condition.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
Any pain, deformity, wound, or functional problem involving the foot or ankle is appropriate for podiatric evaluation. You do not need a referral to see a podiatrist in most cases, and most insurance plans — including Medicare — cover podiatric services directly. Conditions that benefit most from early podiatric evaluation include heel pain, diabetic foot problems, ankle instability, nail and skin infections, and any foot deformity that is progressing or limiting footwear choices.
The podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle are board-certified and serve patients throughout Southeast Michigan. New patients are welcome and same-week appointments are available. Call (734) 479-0693 to schedule your evaluation.
Ready to Relieve Your Foot Pain?
Board-certified podiatrists serving Southeast Michigan. Same-week appointments available.
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Hills Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Get Directions →
Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments available at both locations.
More 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
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.
Ready to feel better?
Same-week appointments available in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
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.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel
Natural topical pain relief I use in our clinic. Arnica + camphor formula — apply directly to the area 3–4x daily. ($20–25)
Get Expert Care at Balance Foot & Ankle
Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. Board-certified podiatric surgeons. Most insurance accepted.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) 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 made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.