You Won’t Want to Leave These Thongs at the Beach!

Asha Curry • November 1, 2022

        You Won’t Want to Leave These Thongs at the Beach!
 
Everyone’s excited for summer: the weather, the fun outdoors and of course, the beach. The beach means bathers, it means sun and sand, and it means thongs. What many people don’t understand is the importance of a well supporting thong. While many may see this as a quick slip on, convenient shoe, we see thongs as the make-or-break variable for your perfect summer. While thongs may be the ideal footwear for beach days, a poorly made shoe can cause serious and painful long-term effects. Most thongs nowadays have a lack of support. However, this problem is magnified for people struggling with increased pronation. Small amounts of pronation are considered healthy, as it allows the foot to adapt to uneven surfaces, absorb shock and build resilience. But increased pronation can become problematic and can cause problems such as bunions and plantar fasciitis.
 
The thing about thongs is that they don’t have supporting ankle or heel straps, which, yes, is kind of the point of an accessible and easy shoe! This model often causes people to use their toes to scrunch or grab the thong as they walk to prevent it from falling off. This movement doesn’t just cause problems in the toe joints and ankle but can spread all the way to the neck. The main problem with thongs is primarily based around the lack of support on the bottom of the shoe. Most thongs don’t have heel elevation, and elevation can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon which in turn, reduces the risk of developing tendonitis in the future.
 
So how can you kill two birds with one stone? Have an epic summer as well as keeping your tootsies safe for more epic summers ahead?
 
Wear thongs with good arch support. Brands such as Archies are an excellent example of this, providing both structured and comfortable footwear for those summer days. Their entire range is equipped with everything you never knew you needed in a thong. Real arch support, comfy material, adjustable straps, no plugs and super lightweight in a range of colours means there’s an Archie style for everyone. And now there’s even Archies with bling – all the comfort as well as style!
 
Our team of Podiatrists at Junction Foot and Ankle Group love these thongs so much that we stock them at our clinic. Come in and grab a pair.

     
   

The Mystery of the Painful Spot on Jack's Foot

August 5, 2026
The Mystery of the Painful Spot on Jack's Foot Eight-year-old Jack loved nothing more than playing soccer at school. Every lunchtime he was the first one on the oval and the last one to leave. One afternoon he came home limping. "Mum," he said, "it feels like I've got a stone stuck in my shoe." His mum checked his shoe... nothing. She looked at his foot and found a small rough bump on the sole. It didn't look like much, but every step hurt. It wasn't a stone. Maybe it was a splinter? No, it was a plantar wart, also called a verruca. And, pretty soon it started to spread. So, what is a plantar wart? Plantar warts are caused by a common virus that infects the outer layer of the skin. They are especially common in school-aged children, although adults can get them too. The virus often enters through tiny breaks in the skin, especially in places like swimming pools, change rooms, public showers, and around sporting facilities. They're very common—and they're nothing to be embarrassed about. Unlike warts on the hands, plantar warts grow on the bottom of the foot, where your body weight presses down on them every time you walk. Instead of growing outwards, they are pushed inwards, making them feel like you're constantly standing on a pebble. For active children like Jack, that can make running, playing sport and even walking uncomfortable. Do all warts need treatment? The simple answer is no. Many plantar warts disappear on their own as the body's immune system eventually clears the virus. This can happen over months or even a couple of years. We usually recommend treatment if the wart is painful, growing larger, spreading to other areas, causing your child to avoid sport or normal activities, or becoming a nuisance that just won't go away. What treatments are available? The good news is that there are lots of treatment options, and we'll help choose the one that's right for you or your child. Depending on the wart, treatment may include carefully removing hard skin over the wart and applying special wart treatments (often prescription-strength medications). When surgery is the best option? Occasionally, a wart simply refuses to leave despite repeated treatment. In these stubborn cases, we can offer surgical removal. Surgery may also be a good option for children who are very anxious about repeated appointments and would prefer to have the wart dealt with in one procedure rather than returning multiple times for treatment. All of our podiatrists can treat warts, but if it’s surgery you’re after, book in with one of our surgical podiatrists who will discuss whether surgery is appropriate and explain exactly what is involved. If you or your child has a painful wart, we'd be happy to help get you comfortably back on your feet. Call us on 9250 1676 to make an appointment or book online .

Heel Pain: The Common Cold of the Foot

July 1, 2026
What's the Fuss About Rafael Nadal's Foot? Understanding Müller-Weiss Syndrome When tennis legend Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from the sport, many people were surprised to learn that one of the biggest challenges throughout his career wasn't an opponent—it was his left foot. Nadal has lived with a condition called Müller-Weiss Syndrome, a rare disorder affecting a small bone in the middle of the foot called the navicular bone. While most of us won't be playing Grand Slam tennis anytime soon, this condition is not limited to elite athletes and can affect everyday Australians too. What is Müller-Weiss Syndrome? Müller-Weiss Syndrome is a condition where the navicular bone gradually changes shape and can become damaged over time. This often leads to collapse of the arch, arthritis developing in nearby joints, and ongoing foot pain. Most people with the condition experience pain through the middle or inside of the foot, discomfort when walking or standing for long periods, a flattening of the arch, swelling around the middle part of the foot, and difficulty staying active due to foot pain. It’s a condition that is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged adults and often develops gradually over many years. It's Not Just an Athlete's Problem Although Nadal's story has brought attention to Müller-Weiss Syndrome, you certainly don't need to be a professional athlete to experience it. In fact, many people first notice symptoms while doing everyday activities such as walking the dog, shopping, gardening, exercising, or spending long hours on their feet at work. And, because the symptoms can mimic arthritis, tendon problems, or general "wear and tear," the condition is sometimes overlooked without a proper assessment. Don’t ignore foot pain - it should never simply be accepted as part of getting older. The good news is that many people can successfully manage their symptoms without surgery. If you've been experiencing ongoing foot pain, changes in your arch shape, or discomfort that is limiting your activities, book an assessment with one of our podiatrists . Click here to book online , or phone us on 9250 1676. Your feet carry you through life—it's worth making sure they're looked after properly.