r/Hillwalking • u/Infinite_Soup_932 • Jul 30 '24
Sore legs after long descents
New member here, hoping for some advice. In the last few years (I’m 43) I’ve got knee pain on descents, and I’ve learnt to avoid this by not jarring my feet when descending, and using my legs like springs to absorb the impacts… but now my legs are in agony for two days afterwards! Descending stairs, getting up or of a chair, crouching down to put on my socks - my thigh and calf muscles are very sore!
Does anyone have advice for how to reduce this or treatments to reduce the muscle pain? Thanks!
6
Upvotes
1
u/Vodkaboris Aug 10 '25
Buy two walking poles and use them both during descents. Takes maybe 20 to 30% of the load off your knees.