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 "dimpling" when a probe is placed onto the discrete chondral area involved over the geographic bone bruise incurred during traumatic anterior cruciate ligament disruption. As we develop an understanding of the pathology and sequelae of this osteochondral injury, this finding may be useful to document injury extent and possibly guide treatment including weight-bearing status and rehabilitation.