Patient Education

Pain across the top of your foot can be surprisingly disabling, and because there is usually no dramatic injury to point to, many people ignore it for weeks. The top of the foot is a busy place: tendons that lift your toes, the bones of the midfoot, and several nerves all run through a narrow space right under your shoelaces. Here is what top-of-foot pain usually means, how to calm it down at home, and the signs that it needs professional care. What causes pain on top of the

A toenail that turns black, brown, or dark purple looks alarming, but most of the time the cause is simple: blood trapped under the nail after an injury or repeated pressure. Sometimes, though, a dark toenail points to a fungal infection or, rarely, something more serious. Here is how to tell what is behind a black toenail, what you can safely do at home, and when it needs a podiatrist's attention. What causes a black toenail? The most common cause is a subungual hematoma, wh

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, and it often begins in the feet. When high blood sugar damages the nerves in your lower extremities, you may lose the ability to feel pain, heat, or cold in your feet. This nerve damage can lead to wounds and infections that go unnoticed, potentially resulting in severe complications. At Sunshine Foot and Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes, Dr. Jonathan Mollineda provides specialized diabetic foot care to help p

Cracked heels are one of those problems everyone assumes is purely cosmetic, until a fissure deepens, starts to sting with every step, or bleeds. In our warm, sandal-heavy South Florida climate, we see them year-round. Here is why heels crack, the routine that actually heals them, and the cases that need medical attention instead of another foot file. Why heels crack The skin of the heel sits over a fat pad that flattens and spreads with every step. When that skin is dry and

In South Florida heat, a little ankle puffiness at the end of a long day is almost a fact of life. But swelling that shows up daily, gets worse, or affects one leg more than the other is your body flagging something worth checking. Here is how to tell ordinary swelling from the kind that needs attention, and what actually helps. Everyday causes of swollen feet Most swelling is fluid pooling with gravity, called edema, and the usual suspects are long hours standing or sitting,

Heel pain at your first morning steps usually means plantar fasciitis. Dr. Mollineda at Sunshine Foot and Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes, FL walks you through the causes, the proven non-surgical treatments, and the advanced options that get hundreds of Broward County patients back on their feet pain-free.

When a 9 to 13 year old starts limping off the soccer field or basketball court complaining that their heel hurts, the most likely culprit is not a sprain or a bruise. It is Sever's disease, known medically as calcaneal apophysitis, an irritation of the growth plate in the heel bone. The name sounds scary, but it is not a disease at all, it is the most common cause of heel pain in growing, active kids, and it resolves completely once managed correctly. Why growing heels hurt

Key Takeaways Sports ankle sprains range from mild (Grade 1) to complete ligament tears (Grade 3); treatment depends on severity. The first 48–72 hours matter most: rest, ice, compression, elevation, and protection from re-injury. Returning to sport too soon is the #1 cause of chronic ankle instability — get cleared by a professional first. Most ankle sprains heal without surgery, but persistent instability or full ligament tears may need surgical evaluation. Targeted rehab —

A toenail lifting or falling off looks alarming, but in most cases it is your body finishing a process that started weeks earlier. The medical term is onycholysis, and the two usual culprits are trauma and fungus. Here is what to do the moment it happens, what recovery looks like, and the situations where a loose nail needs a podiatrist instead of a bandage. Why toenails fall off The most common cause is repetitive trauma, what runners call runner's toe: the nail bangs agains

Pain in the big toe joint is one of the most common complaints we see, and one of the most misdiagnosed by patients themselves. The three usual suspects, gout, arthritis, and bunions, can all hurt in the same spot but behave very differently and need very different treatment. Here is how to tell which one is most likely behind your pain, and what to do about each. Gout: sudden, severe, and often at night Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystals co

Noticed thin red, blue, or purple lines spreading across your ankles or the tops of your feet? Those are spider veins, and the ones a size up with a greenish-blue tint are called reticular veins. They are one of the most common cosmetic concerns we hear about at Sunshine Foot and Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes, and patients usually arrive with the same three questions: what caused them, are they dangerous, and what actually gets rid of them. This guide answers all three. What caus

Worried about your child's flat feet? Learn what's normal, the warning signs to watch for, and when to see a podiatrist for pediatric flat feet in Lauderdale Lakes, FL.

"Foot pain" isn't one thing — it can come from your heel, your forefoot, your toes, your nerves, or your skin. Dr. Mollineda at Sunshine Foot & Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes walks through the most common causes of foot pain, what helps at home, and when to see a podiatrist.

Why toenails grow into the skin An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the nail, usually on the big toe, curves down and digs into the surrounding skin. The most common causes are cutting toenails too short or rounding the corners, wearing shoes that squeeze the toes, stubbing or injuring the toe, and simply inheriting nails that naturally curve. Once the nail edge pierces the skin, every step presses it deeper, which is why ingrown toenails rarely improve on their own o

If every step feels like there is a pebble in your shoe, or the area just behind your toes burns and aches after a day on your feet, you are describing metatarsalgia, pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. It is one of the most common complaints we treat, especially in people who stand all day, runners, and anyone who loves thin-soled or high-heeled shoes. The good news: most cases respond well without surgery once the real cause is identified. What causes pain in the

Children's feet develop rapidly during the first several years of life, and many common foot conditions are easier to correct when caught early. As a parent, knowing when to seek professional care for your child's feet can prevent minor issues from becoming long-term problems. Dr. Jonathan Mollineda at Sunshine Foot and Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes provides pediatric foot care for children of all ages, from toddlers taking their first steps to active teenagers involved in sports

When foot pain doesn't respond to conservative care, surgery is sometimes the right next step. Dr. Mollineda at Sunshine Foot & Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes explains the three most common foot surgeries — bunionectomy, hammertoe correction, and neuroma removal — and what to expect.

Key Takeaways Most bunions don't need surgery — conservative care (wider shoes, padding, custom orthotics, anti-inflammatory care) controls symptoms for many patients. Surgery is the right answer when pain limits daily activity, the deformity is worsening, or the second toe is being affected. Modern bunionectomy techniques include both traditional open and minimally invasive approaches; Dr. Mollineda chooses based on your specific deformity. Expect a stiff post-op shoe for se

Wondering if laser therapy will work for your toenail fungus or stubborn heel pain? Dr. Mollineda at Sunshine Foot & Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes explains how in-office laser treatment works for both conditions, what each session feels like, and how to know if it's right for you.

Visiting a podiatrist for the first time? Learn exactly what to expect at your initial appointment at Sunshine Foot and Ankle in Lauderdale Lakes, FL. Dr. Mollineda walks you through the visit, the exam, and your treatment options so you feel prepared and confident.