Methods for promoting osteochondral cell and tissue growth including in large lesions and in populations at risk

A method of treating or repairing a large osteochondral, bone or cartilage lesion site in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising:

• implanting two or more solid substrates comprising a coral or coral derivative within a region in said lesion site in said subject, wherein:
• said defect site has a length or width or depth that is at least about 1.5 times greater than a length, width or depth of said two or more solid substrates being implanted therein;
• said two or more solid substrates consisting essentially of two phases wherein:
• a first phase of said two phases comprises solid coral and said first phase further comprises a series of hollows along a longitudinal axis in said first phase;
• a second phase of said two phases comprises a solid coral;
• said two or more solid substrates being characterized by a specific fluid uptake capacity value of at least 75% or characterized by having a contact angle value of less than 60 degrees, when in contact with a fluid;
• and
• said two or more solid substrates are further characterized by each having at least one substantially flat cross section at a terminus of said solid substrate and tapered sides, which tapered sides are at an angle of from 0.75 to about 4 degrees from a longitudinal axis along said solid substrate.