Which of the following describes a classic sign related to gait and stairs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

• A. Waddling Gait
• B. Toe Walking
• C. Ascending Stairs Difficulty
• D. Increased Lumbar Lordosis

Answer: (C)

Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes progressive proximal weakness of the hip and thigh muscles, so tasks that rely on those muscles—like climbing stairs—become noticeably difficult. Climbing stairs demands strong hip and knee extensors to lift and propel the body upward; when these muscles weaken, ascending stairs becomes a clear, early functional sign of the condition. Waddling gait is common due to pelvic girdle weakness, and increased lumbar lordosis can occur as a compensatory posture, but the hallmark that most directly reflects gait and stair function is difficulty ascending stairs. Toe walking isn’t typical for Duchenne and points more toward other conditions, so the best descriptor of the gait/stair involvement in this context is the trouble with stairs.