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

Understanding Podiatric Surgery

When patients learn they may need foot surgery, they often ask: “Can a podiatrist really do surgery?” The answer is an unequivocal yes — and in fact, podiatric surgeons are among the most specialized foot and ankle surgeons in healthcare. Understanding the training, credentials, and scope of podiatric surgery helps patients make informed decisions about their care.

Podiatric Medical Education

Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) complete a rigorous educational pathway: a four-year undergraduate degree with pre-medical coursework, followed by four years at an accredited College of Podiatric Medicine. Podiatric medical school covers the same foundational science curriculum as MD/DO programs — anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology — with additional subspecialty focus on lower extremity anatomy, biomechanics, dermatology of the foot, and podiatric pharmacology. Clinical rotations expose students to internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, radiology, and podiatric clinical care.

Podiatric Surgical Residency

After medical school, podiatric surgeons complete a three-year surgical residency at accredited hospital programs — the same teaching hospitals that train MD orthopedic surgeons. Modern podiatric surgical residencies require minimum case volume requirements in soft tissue surgery, rearfoot and ankle surgery, and forefoot surgery. Residents train in general and regional anesthesia, intraoperative fluoroscopy, reconstructive procedures, and trauma. The most competitive programs at academic medical centers provide exposure to complex reconstructive and revisional surgery that builds exceptional technical skill.

Board Certification

After completing residency, podiatric surgeons pursue board certification through the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS). Certification requires documenting a minimum number of surgical cases, passing a written examination, and completing an oral examination with case presentation before a panel of examiners. The ABFAS recognizes two certification categories: foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery (for surgeons with additional training and case volume in complex hindfoot and ankle procedures). Certification in both categories demonstrates the highest level of podiatric surgical expertise.

Surgical Scope

Board-certified podiatric surgeons are trained and legally authorized in Michigan to perform the full spectrum of foot and ankle surgery, including: bunion correction (including Lapiplasty® 3D), hammertoe and digital surgery, metatarsal osteotomies, plantar fascia surgery, Achilles tendon repair and reconstruction, tendon transfers, flatfoot reconstruction including calcaneal osteotomies and tendon transfers, ankle ligament reconstruction, ankle arthroscopy, ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation, ankle fusion, total ankle replacement, Charcot foot reconstruction, diabetic foot surgery and limb salvage, and tumor excision.

Why Choose a Podiatric Surgeon for Your Foot Care

A board-certified podiatric surgeon’s entire professional focus is the foot and ankle. Every surgery they perform, every continuing education course they attend, and every research paper they read is foot and ankle specific. This depth of specialization — more than any other surgical specialty — makes podiatric surgeons the most experienced and technically proficient foot and ankle surgeons for the conditions they treat. The podiatric surgeons at Balance Foot & Ankle are ABFAS board-certified and bring this specialized expertise to every patient.

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Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

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What Is a Podiatric Surgeon? Understanding Your Foot Specialist

Podiatric surgeons complete specialized training in foot and ankle surgery beyond their medical degree. Dr. Tom Biernacki is board-certified in podiatric surgery with extensive experience in both conservative care and complex surgical procedures.

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Clinical References

1. American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Board certification requirements and process. ABFAS. 2023.
2. Trepal MJ. Podiatric medical education: a historical perspective. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 2002;92(6):319-326.
3. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Scope of practice in podiatric medicine and surgery. ACFAS. 2023.

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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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.