Osteochondral/subchondral treatment system

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a tapered implant for treating osteochondral/subchondral defects. The tapered implant comprises a top portion that includes a shape that approximates an osteochondral/subchondral surface to be replaced. A bottom portion of the tapered implant is configured to be implanted into a hole drilled in bone. A cylindrical sidewall of the tapered implant has a diameter that generally decreases from a first diameter of the top portion to a second diameter of the bottom portion. The tapered implant comprises any homogenous synthetic or natural material suitable for implantation into bone, including any of collagen, human or animal allograft, silicone, bioglass, peek, polyethylene, titanium, and cobalt chrome, and any combination thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.