The seizing quadriceps on descending stairs and slopes problem

[PJMC]

Hi there. I am hoping someone out there can help me out with this problem I have had off and on for the last 30 years. I am a lifetime exerciser and a cyclist for the last 15 years so a fairly good level of general fitness and leg strength. I first noticed this problem years ago when I was descending from a mountain while hiking with friends in the Lakes District. My quads seized up to the point of excruciating pain and the only way I could make it stop, was to stop moving. Needless to say it took a lot longer to get down the mountain than up. As mentioned, this has happened with increasing regularity, always on going downhill or stairs, to the point where I avoid both situations wherever possible (difficult!). I can go backwards down the stairs no problem. If I allow the pain to escalate, ie: “push” through, I end up with quads that are tender for days. Stretching is almost impossible because of pain. It is worse after a period of inactivity ie:long haul plane flight. I have lower back issues and always assumed this was the reason until a neurologist biopsied my quadriceps and found them to be almost absent of fast twitch muscle fibre. I have since been researching like mad and found a cycle forum that discussed this issue back in 2009. It seems I am not alone and appears to affect cyclists in particular, the theory being that the constant concentric muscle action required in cycling inhibits the eccentric muscle action required for downhill walking. The conversation thread that I found petered out with no real solutions but plenty of hypotheses. Every medical specialist I have seen for this looks at me blankly. I think I’ve been tested for everything and the muscle fibre situation seems to be the only clinically significant finding.
So, If anyone else out there has experienced something similar, please share especially if you have found any sort of solution. Thx.

 

[ColinJ]

I had forgotten having that problem, but for a while I had to walk downstairs (or down hills) backwards. In my case, it seemed to be because I was obese at the time. When I lost weight the problem went away. (I have lower back problems too.)

 

[PJMC]

I had forgotten having that problem, but for a while I had to walk downstairs (or down hills) backwards. In my case, it seemed to be because I was obese at the time. When I lost weight the problem went away. (I have lower back problems too.)

Thanks Colin. I’m glad you have resolved your situation and I wish I had some excess weight to lose as that is something I possibly could control. It is definitely worse if I try to carry anything so loading the muscles is clearly an issue.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

How are you glutes , weak glutes is often connected with a bad back and it’s the glutes that help you walk upright. Road bikes don’t work the glutes all that much, unless out the saddle.

squats, lunges etc. may help.

 

[vickster]

See an experienced sports physio?
I’m currently having my quads treated (tortured) with a Compex machine to try to redress the imbalance between relatively weak quads and stronger hamstrings and glutes. Aim is to get more flexion into an arthritic knee.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I'd go with above advice, sounds like a targeted exercise regime to improve muscle strength and flexibility, good physio may be able to shed some light on a potential back issue?

 

[Drago]

Ow! That sounds deeply unpleasant. I'd go see a doc first, check there's nothing inherently amiss. Once that's out the way a decent sports therapist.

I was wincing simply reading that so I hope you get it sorted.

 

[ColinJ]

Thanks Colin. I’m glad you have resolved your situation and I wish I had some excess weight to lose as that is something I possibly could control. It is definitely worse if I try to carry anything so loading the muscles is clearly an issue.

Maybe seeing a physio would be the best next step for you - good luck!

 

[PJMC]

Thanks all. I’ve seen a few physio’s along the journey and in fact in a past life was one myself. I’m visiting an exercise physiologist next week armed with all my new information, I’m hoping to nail an effective program.

 

[PJMC]

How are you glutes , weak glutes is often connected with a bad back and it’s the glutes that help you walk upright. Road bikes don’t work the glutes all that much, unless out the saddle.

squats, lunges etc. may help.

Guilty! My glutes are pathetic and I have been working on lunges and squats.

 

[ColinJ]

My glutes are pathetic and I have been working on lunges and squats.

Was that before or after the pains started...

 

[djbarx]

Hi mate. I know this is an old thread but your original post is exactly me apart from I was descending snowdon. I've worked as a Mountain Leader for most of my life and have over 300 N3P under my belt. I decided to end all my challenge event work and concentrate on DofE last season. I also increased my road cycling and at the time of the incident/quad seizures I was averaging 100 miles on consecutive days.

Did you solve this problem if so how?

 

[CXRAndy]

Most likely cramp, walking down hill is particularly hard on the quadraceps, and shins. Recommended to walk backwards (odd I know-but works) if legs begin to struggle

 

[djbarx]

Hi. I've explored the cramp possibility and supplemented my diet accordingly with magnesium, zinc and a hydration supplement. This appeared to work until it happened again in spain after completing the Badlands. I've since concentrated on essentric contraction leg exercises in the gym which again appears to have been successful. My outdoor mountain season starts again in March and really don't want to be stuck on the hill with a group so desperately want to sort this thing.

 

[derosa67]

There is an extensive discussion of this problem on the Cyclingnews forum. It's a rare condition but it's not unheard of and seems to most affect middle aged male cyclists. I myself was hospitalized for 3 days with it. Everything people have suggested won't work. Nobody knows the cause of it but there's a few well thought out hypothesis in that forum. It's worth reading all 20 pages or so. It may just make you feel like there's no hope fixing it but at least you'll see there's others who suffer from it too