It is the duck-like waddle (from the Latin anserinus, goose) of girdle muscular dystrophy and progressive
muscular dystrophy (or Duchenne’s disease). Since these patients have bilateral hip adductors weakness,
they walk with very short steps, tilting their body from side to side in a characteristic sway. They also keep
their legs spread wide apart, with shoulders sloped slightly forward. On standing, they exhibit an exaggerated lumbar lordosis and a protuberant abdomen.
They also have a very typical (not to mention difficult) way of getting up from a chair: first they bend
forward (placing both hands on the knees); then they push themselves up by sliding their hands up the
thighs. This Gowers’ maneuver allows them to stand up from either a sitting or kneeling position, and it is so
typical that it often allows an immediate diagnosis of muscular dystrophy. Note that if the arms are kept
outstretched, standing becomes impossible.
muscular dystrophy (or Duchenne’s disease). Since these patients have bilateral hip adductors weakness,
they walk with very short steps, tilting their body from side to side in a characteristic sway. They also keep
their legs spread wide apart, with shoulders sloped slightly forward. On standing, they exhibit an exaggerated lumbar lordosis and a protuberant abdomen.
They also have a very typical (not to mention difficult) way of getting up from a chair: first they bend
forward (placing both hands on the knees); then they push themselves up by sliding their hands up the
thighs. This Gowers’ maneuver allows them to stand up from either a sitting or kneeling position, and it is so
typical that it often allows an immediate diagnosis of muscular dystrophy. Note that if the arms are kept
outstretched, standing becomes impossible.