What sign indicates difficulty rising from the floor in boys with DMD?

• A. Hoffmann sign
• B. Babinski sign
• C. Gowers' sign
• D. Romberg sign

Answer: (C)

Gowers' sign reflects proximal muscle weakness, especially of the hip girdle and thigh muscles, which is a hallmark of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. When rising from the floor, a person with this weakness can’t extend the hips and knees strongly enough to stand upright, so they push their hands against the thighs and “walk” the hands up the legs to reach standing. This compensatory maneuver is classic in boys with DMD and indicates significant proximal muscle weakness.

The other signs listed are not related to this pattern. Hoffmann sign and Babinski sign are neurological reflex signs tied to spinal or corticospinal tract issues, and Romberg sign relates to proprioceptive or vestibular function. They don’t describe the difficulty rising from the floor caused by proximal muscle weakness seen in DMD.