Quick answer: Ypsilanti Eastern Washtenaw County Foot Doctor is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
The most important clinical decision with Ypsilanti Eastern Washtenaw County Foot Doctor isn't which treatment to start with — it's which subtype or underlying cause you actually have. Our podiatrists regularly see patients who've been treated for months for the wrong diagnosis. The correct identification changes the entire treatment path. Call (810) 206-1402 — Dr. Tom evaluates this condition at both Howell and Bloomfield Hills locations.
Table of Contents
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Last reviewed: May 2026
- Podiatric Services for Ypsilanti Patients
- Common Conditions We Treat
- Getting to Our Clinics from Ypsilanti
- About Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re in Ypsilanti or eastern Washtenaw County and dealing with foot or ankle pain, you may be looking for a podiatrist who combines advanced surgical training with the kind of personalized care that a busy hospital system can’t always provide. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we regularly see patients who travel from Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Saline, Milan, and the surrounding communities to our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics. Dr. Tom Biernacki and our team are dedicated to getting you back on your feet — often with same-day appointments available.
Podiatric Services for Ypsilanti & Washtenaw County Patients
Balance Foot & Ankle offers comprehensive podiatric care including both conservative and surgical management of foot and ankle conditions. Our practice is built around the principle that most patients deserve a thorough evaluation, imaging review, and a clear treatment plan — not a rushed 10-minute appointment. Here’s what we provide:
- Same-day and next-day appointments for acute injuries and urgent foot pain
- In-office digital X-rays — weight-bearing images reviewed the same visit
- Diagnostic ultrasound for tendon evaluation, plantar fascia assessment, and guided injections
- Custom orthotics with computerized gait analysis and pressure mapping
- Advanced wound care including Wound VAC therapy, biologics, and offloading for diabetic foot ulcers
- Minimally invasive and traditional foot and ankle surgery at local outpatient surgery centers
- Sports medicine for running injuries, soccer injuries, and athletic overuse conditions
- Pediatric podiatry including Sever’s disease, flatfoot in children, and youth sports injuries
Common Foot & Ankle Conditions We Treat
Whether you’ve had foot pain for years or developed a new injury last week, our clinic is equipped to evaluate and treat the full spectrum of foot and ankle pathology. The conditions we most frequently treat for patients from the Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County area include:
- Plantar fasciitis — heel pain, especially with first morning steps
- Bunions (hallux valgus) — big toe joint deformity with or without pain
- Hammertoes — bent or contracted smaller toes causing shoe friction and pain
- Achilles tendinopathy — insertional and midportion tendon pain
- Ankle sprains and instability — acute and chronic ligamentous injury
- Diabetic foot care — nail care, wound management, neuropathy evaluation, ulcer prevention
- Toenail conditions — ingrown toenails, fungal nails (onychomycosis), nail trauma
- Neuromas and nerve pain — Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Flatfoot and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
- Heel spurs and bone spur pain
- Stress fractures — metatarsal, navicular, calcaneal
Key takeaway: Dr. Biernacki has performed over 3,000 foot and ankle surgeries and holds board certification in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery — the highest credentialing level in podiatric medicine.
Getting to Our Clinics from Ypsilanti
We have two convenient locations serving the greater southeastern Michigan region. From Ypsilanti and eastern Washtenaw County, both locations are accessible via US-23 or I-94/M-59:
- Howell, MI (Livingston County) — approximately 35–40 minutes from Ypsilanti via US-23 North. This is our flagship location with full surgical consultation, imaging, and advanced wound care services.
- Bloomfield Hills, MI (Oakland County) — approximately 45–50 minutes from Ypsilanti via I-94 East to I-696. This location provides the full range of podiatric services for patients preferring the metro Detroit corridor.
We understand that patients from Washtenaw County may have other local options. We welcome you to call and discuss your specific condition so we can help you determine if our practice is the right fit — and whether the drive is warranted for your particular case.
About Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Dr. Tom Biernacki is a board-certified podiatric surgeon with specialty certification in both foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery from the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his surgical residency with advanced training in complex foot and ankle reconstruction, limb salvage, and sports podiatry. In over a decade of practice, he has performed more than 3,000 foot and ankle surgeries and maintains a 4.9-star rating across more than 1,100 patient reviews.
Dr. Biernacki is known for spending time explaining diagnoses clearly, reviewing imaging with patients in the exam room, and providing conservative care options before recommending surgery when appropriate. His philosophy: the best surgical outcome is the one you never needed, because conservative care worked.
⚠️ Seek Urgent Podiatric Care — Don’t Wait for a Scheduled Appointment
- Open wound on the foot in a diabetic patient
- Foot or ankle that’s visibly deformed after an injury
- Rapidly spreading redness, warmth, or red streaking from the foot
- Inability to bear weight after a fall or impact injury
- Acute swelling of the entire foot or ankle within hours of injury
Dr. Tom’s At-Home Recommendations
PowerStep Pinnacle Insoles — The OTC orthotic I recommend most in our Howell and Bloomfield Hills clinics. Medical-grade arch support at a fraction of custom orthotic cost ($40 vs $400+).
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel — Natural arnica + menthol formula. What I switched my own family to after years of recommending Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel. Plant-based, FSA-eligible, pump bottle.
Disclosure: We earn a commission if you purchase — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we use in our clinic.
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance for patients from Ypsilanti?
Yes — Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, and Medicare. We also offer self-pay pricing for patients without insurance coverage. When you call to schedule, our front desk team will verify your insurance benefits before your appointment so there are no billing surprises.
How soon can I get an appointment?
For new patients, we typically have same-day or next-day availability for acute injuries and urgent conditions. Routine appointments for chronic conditions are usually available within 3–5 business days. Call (810) 206-1402 or use our online booking at our New Patient Information page to schedule. We make every effort to see patients in pain quickly.
Is it worth traveling from Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti to see a podiatrist in Howell?
Many of our Washtenaw County patients tell us the drive is absolutely worth it — particularly for complex surgical consultations, second opinions, advanced wound care, and custom orthotic prescriptions. For routine nail care or minor conditions, we’d always encourage you to find a qualified podiatrist closer to home. For anything involving potential surgery, a complex diagnosis, or a wound that hasn’t healed, we’d love the opportunity to evaluate you and provide a thorough second opinion.
The Bottom Line
If you’re in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, or anywhere in eastern Washtenaw County and searching for a podiatrist with advanced surgical training and a reputation for thorough, personalized care, Balance Foot & Ankle is worth the drive. With same-day appointments available and in-office X-ray and diagnostic ultrasound, you’ll leave your first visit with a diagnosis — not a referral to wait on results. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online today.
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
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.