THE DIMPLING PHENOMENON - ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE INJURY OVERLYING AN OCCULT OSTEOCHONDRAL LESION AT THE TIME OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

The authors report the arthroscopic finding of articular cartilage ''d impling'' when a probe is placed onto the discrete chondral area invol ved over the geographic bone bruise incurred during traumatic anterior cruciate ligament disruption. As we develop an understanding of the p athology and sequelae of this osteochondral injury, this finding may b e useful to document injury extent and possibly guide treatment includ ing weight-bearing status and rehabilitation.