Gowers Sign: A Spectrum – Scott J. Mubarak, MD

Scott J. Mubarak, MD  |   June 25, 2026  |   5:55

This video demonstrates Gowers’ sign across a range of severity in children with proximal muscle weakness from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Beginning with two normal children rising from a kneeling position without difficulty, the video progresses through cases of increasing weakness — illustrating compensatory strategies such as wide abduction and internal rotation to use the iliotibial band as a knee extensor, pushing up using the arms, and lordosis to compensate for gluteus maximus weakness. The final subject requires the additional support of a wall to stand.