Which sign is commonly seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy when standing from the floor?

• A. Romberg sign
• B. Gowers sign
• C. Tinel sign
• D. Babinski sign

Answer: (B)

Gowers sign appears because Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes weakness of the proximal muscles around the hips and thighs. When someone with this weakness tries to rise from the floor, they can’t push up using their trunk and legs alone. Instead they place their hands on their thighs and push up with the arms to stand, effectively “climbing” up the legs. This compensatory pattern is characteristic of early proximal muscle weakness in Duchenne.

Other signs don’t fit this scenario: Romberg sign relates to impaired balance from sensory or vestibular problems, not the proximal muscle weakness seen in Duchenne; Tinel sign is a nerve irritation test; Babinski sign is an upper motor neuron finding.