05/07/2026
Hikers and avid walkers in the Charleston area: knee pain on descents is almost never just a knee problem. π¬
Downhill loading places high eccentric demand on the quadriceps β and when the quads fatigue or the hip stabilizers aren't holding up their end, the knee absorbs forces it's not designed to manage alone.
Two things that help: eccentric step-downs off a low step (3 sets of 10 per leg, slow and controlled) and single-leg balance work to improve hip and knee stability under load.
Building this capacity before a long hike prevents the knee from becoming the weak link on the trail.
Know a hiker dealing with this? Send this their way.