Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of making and/or repairing cartilage in vivo comprising implanting into a patient, at a site of cartilage damage or loss, a biocompatible, non-living three-dimensional scaffold or framework structure in combination with periosteal/perichondrial tissue that can be used to hold the scaffold in place and provides a source of chondrocyte progenitor cells, chondrocytes and other stromal cells for attachment to the scaffold in vivo. In addition, a preparation of cells that can include chondrocytes, chondrocyte progenitor cells or other stromal cells is administered, either before, during or after implantation of the scaffold and/or the periosteal perichondrial tissue; the cells are administered directly into the site of the implant in vivo and promote the induction of factors that enhance chondrogenesis and the migration of chondrocytes, progenitor cells and other stromal cells from the adjacent in vivo environment into the scaffold for the production of new cartilage at the site of implantation.

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First Claim