College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

A child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy may commonly display which symptom?

1. Blurred vision

2. Waddling gait

3. Drooping eyelids

4. Difficulty swallowing

The correct answer is: Waddling gait

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) predominantly affects muscle function, leading to progressive muscle weakness and associated movement difficulties. One of the hallmark symptoms of DMD is a waddling gait. This is due to the weakness in the proximal muscles, particularly the hip and pelvic areas, which affects the child's ability to maintain balance and stability while walking. As muscle strength declines, children with DMD may exhibit a distinctive gait pattern where they shift their weight from side to side, resembling a waddling motion. This change is a direct consequence of the muscular impairments caused by the condition and is often one of the first noticeable signs of the disease in young children. The other symptoms listed—blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulty swallowing—are not typically associated with DMD. These symptoms may arise from different conditions affecting other systems or muscle types, but they do not reflect the primary musculoskeletal impact of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Therefore, the presence of a waddling gait is a key indicator of this particular genetic disorder.