The World is Flat. Are Flat Surfaces a Problem for Ankles, Knees, and Hips?

Philosophers and historians argued for centuries that the world was flat and I'm not so sure they were too far from the truth. From the moment we get out of bed our world is a series of flat surfaces. After all, this flatness makes it easier to get from point A to point B with little or no effort. But as I see problems with ankles, knees, and hips is this flat world of our really healthy for us? You'd think people who are carbohydrate-phobic and embrace a diet that they believed our paleolithic ancestors to have existed on would be a little more concerned that he didn't have sidewalks. This flat-world idea popped into my head while I was on a grueling hike that rose from an elevation of 400 feet to 8500 feet in 10 miles. Nothing was flat for as far as the eye could see and I wondered why there were so many ankle, knee, and hip injuries in our flat world. Age, excessive weight, genetics, poor body alignment, lack of exercise and more are reasons for these problems. According to The Permanente Journal, The Kaiser Permanente National Total Joint Replacement Registry estimates that within the US, there are over 600,000 total hip and knee replacements each year. Staggering! Is the flat world that we inhabit hurting us in the long run? For one thing, walking on flat surfaces doesn't allow the foot to do much inversion or eversion (see photo).

The muscles in the lower leg, like any muscles that doesn't get used much, loose their tone and become shortened. Just when you need them most, like when you have to step on to or off of an non-flat surface like a curb, you're more prone to get hurt. Add to this a pair of high heels or shoes with no ankle support and you've got an injury waiting to happen. Don't go climbing any hills or run into the gym looking for a machine that will exercise your tibialis or fibularis muscles (look them up). An easy and pleasant way to work those muscles is to take a barefoot walk on the beach or a saunter across a lawn-covered field (watch for the pet poop). Whenever you the chance, get on-to some uneven surfaces and walk around for preventative care for your ankles, knees, and hips.

"What is the single best thing we can do for our health?"

Dr. Mike Evans asks, "What is the single best thing we can do for our health?" in his You Tube documentary, 23 1/5 Hours. It's a short clip, just over 9 minutes, but it gives pause to just what small changes in our daily routines can do to vastly change our quality of life. According to Evans, the lack of exercise coupled with obesity, will put you in your grave faster than hypertension, high cholesterol, or smoking. His conclusion: just 30 minutes of activity everyday! It's a small effort with a big impact.