Gowers's sign: Difference between revisions
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{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Gowers's sign | |||
| image = [[File:Gowers's_sign.png|250px]] | |||
| alt = Illustration of Gowers's sign | |||
| caption = A depiction of a child exhibiting Gowers's sign | |||
| field = [[Neurology]] | |||
| symptoms = Difficulty rising to a standing position, using hands to "walk" up the legs | |||
| onset = Typically in childhood | |||
| duration = Chronic | |||
| causes = [[Muscular dystrophy]], [[proximal muscle weakness]] | |||
| risks = Genetic predisposition | |||
| diagnosis = Clinical examination, [[genetic testing]] | |||
| differential = [[Spinal muscular atrophy]], [[myopathy]] | |||
| treatment = Physical therapy, supportive care | |||
| prognosis = Varies depending on underlying condition | |||
| frequency = Common in certain types of muscular dystrophy | |||
}} | |||
'''Gowers's sign''' is a medical sign that indicates weakness of the proximal muscles, namely those of the lower limb. The sign describes a patient that has to use their hands and arms to "walk" up their own body from a squatting position due to lack of hip and thigh muscle strength. | '''Gowers's sign''' is a medical sign that indicates weakness of the proximal muscles, namely those of the lower limb. The sign describes a patient that has to use their hands and arms to "walk" up their own body from a squatting position due to lack of hip and thigh muscle strength. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
The sign is named after the British neurologist Sir William Richard Gowers, who first described it in 1879. [[William Richard Gowers|Gowers]] was a prominent figure in the field of neurology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his contributions to the field are still recognized today. | The sign is named after the British neurologist Sir William Richard Gowers, who first described it in 1879. [[William Richard Gowers|Gowers]] was a prominent figure in the field of neurology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his contributions to the field are still recognized today. | ||
== Clinical significance == | == Clinical significance == | ||
Gowers's sign is most commonly associated with [[Duchenne muscular dystrophy]], but can also be seen in other conditions that result in proximal muscle weakness such as [[Becker's muscular dystrophy]] and [[limb-girdle muscular dystrophy]]. The sign is one of the most well-known clinical features of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. | Gowers's sign is most commonly associated with [[Duchenne muscular dystrophy]], but can also be seen in other conditions that result in proximal muscle weakness such as [[Becker's muscular dystrophy]] and [[limb-girdle muscular dystrophy]]. The sign is one of the most well-known clinical features of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
The diagnosis of Gowers's sign is made clinically, with the sign being positive when a patient uses their hands and arms to push up off the floor and "walk" up their own body to stand from a squatting position. This is due to the lack of muscle strength in the hips and thighs that are needed to rise from a seated position. | The diagnosis of Gowers's sign is made clinically, with the sign being positive when a patient uses their hands and arms to push up off the floor and "walk" up their own body to stand from a squatting position. This is due to the lack of muscle strength in the hips and thighs that are needed to rise from a seated position. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
The treatment for conditions that cause Gowers's sign is dependent on the underlying condition. For example, in the case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, treatment may include physical therapy, medications, and in some cases, surgery. | The treatment for conditions that cause Gowers's sign is dependent on the underlying condition. For example, in the case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, treatment may include physical therapy, medications, and in some cases, surgery. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Duchenne muscular dystrophy]] | * [[Duchenne muscular dystrophy]] | ||
| Line 18: | Line 31: | ||
* [[Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy]] | * [[Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy]] | ||
* [[William Richard Gowers]] | * [[William Richard Gowers]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Medical signs]] | [[Category:Medical signs]] | ||
[[Category:Neurology]] | [[Category:Neurology]] | ||
[[Category:Muscular dystrophy]] | [[Category:Muscular dystrophy]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
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| Gowers's sign | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Difficulty rising to a standing position, using hands to "walk" up the legs |
| Complications | N/A |
| Onset | Typically in childhood |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Muscular dystrophy, proximal muscle weakness |
| Risks | Genetic predisposition |
| Diagnosis | Clinical examination, genetic testing |
| Differential diagnosis | Spinal muscular atrophy, myopathy |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Physical therapy, supportive care |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Varies depending on underlying condition |
| Frequency | Common in certain types of muscular dystrophy |
| Deaths | N/A |
Gowers's sign is a medical sign that indicates weakness of the proximal muscles, namely those of the lower limb. The sign describes a patient that has to use their hands and arms to "walk" up their own body from a squatting position due to lack of hip and thigh muscle strength.
History[edit]
The sign is named after the British neurologist Sir William Richard Gowers, who first described it in 1879. Gowers was a prominent figure in the field of neurology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his contributions to the field are still recognized today.
Clinical significance[edit]
Gowers's sign is most commonly associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but can also be seen in other conditions that result in proximal muscle weakness such as Becker's muscular dystrophy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. The sign is one of the most well-known clinical features of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.
Diagnosis[edit]
The diagnosis of Gowers's sign is made clinically, with the sign being positive when a patient uses their hands and arms to push up off the floor and "walk" up their own body to stand from a squatting position. This is due to the lack of muscle strength in the hips and thighs that are needed to rise from a seated position.
Treatment[edit]
The treatment for conditions that cause Gowers's sign is dependent on the underlying condition. For example, in the case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, treatment may include physical therapy, medications, and in some cases, surgery.
See also[edit]
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Becker's muscular dystrophy
- Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
- William Richard Gowers
References[edit]
<references />
