Divot sign: A new observation in anterior impingement of the ankle

Anterior impingement of the ankle results from osteophyte formation on the anterior edge of the distal tibia. Classically, subsequent degeneration res ults in an osteophyte forming on the anterior neck of the talus, This resul ts in limited dorsiflexion and impingement seen in the ankles of athletes. Recent clinical observation in high performance soccer players has revealed a previously unrecognized pattern of a localized divot forming in the tala r neck in place of the osteophyte. This accepts the tibial osteophyte durin g dorsiflexion, which is therefore not limited in these patients.