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Pathomechanics of Gowers’ Sign: A Video Analysis of a Spectrum of Gowers’ Maneuvers

  • Clinical Research
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

Background

Gowers’ sign is a screening test for muscle weakness, typically seen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy but also seen in numerous other conditions. The mildest presentations and the variations of Gowers’ sign are poorly described in the literature but are important to recognize to help with early diagnosis of a neuromuscular problem.

Questions/purposes

We therefore (1) defined the characteristics of the mildest forms and the compensatory mechanism used, (2) categorized the spectrum of this sign as seen in various neuromuscular diseases, and (3) provide educational videos for clinicians.

Methods

We videotaped 33 patients with Gowers’ sign and three healthy children. Weakness was categorized as: mild = prolonged or rise using single-hand action; moderate = forming prone crawl position and using one or two hands on thigh; severe = more than two thigh maneuvers, rising with additional aid, or unable to rise.

Results

The earliest changes were exaggerated torso flexion, wide base, and equinus posturing, which reduce hip extension moment, keep forces anterior to the knee, and improve balance. Patients with moderate weakness have wide hip abduction, shifts in pelvic tilt, and lordosis, which reduce knee extension moment, improve hamstrings moment arm, and aide truncal extension. The classic Gowers’ sign (severe) exaggerates all mechanisms.

Conclusions

The classically described Gowers’ sign is usually a late finding. However more subtle forms of Gowers’ sign including mild hand pressure against the thigh and prone crawl position should be recognized by clinicians to initiate additional diagnostic tests.

Level of Evidence

Level III, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott J. Mubarak MD.

Additional information

Each author certifies that he or she, or a member of their immediate family, has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request.

Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

This study was performed at Rady Children’s Hospital and Health Center.

Electronic supplementary material

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Video 1 (WMV 14559 kb)

Video 2 (WMV 24796 kb)

Video 3 (WMV 43171 kb)

Video 4 (WMV 41546 kb)

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Chang, R.F., Mubarak, S.J. Pathomechanics of Gowers’ Sign: A Video Analysis of a Spectrum of Gowers’ Maneuvers. Clin Orthop Relat Res 470, 1987–1991 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-011-2210-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-011-2210-6

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