Method and compositions for the treatment and repair of defects or lesions in cartilage

A method for treating defects or lesions in cartilage in animals which comprises:

• filling the defect with a biodegradable matrix containing an effective amount of a proliferation agent to stimulate proliferation of repair cells, an effective amount of a chemotactic agent to attract repair cells to the matrix and defect, and an effective amount of a transforming factor associated with a delivery system for subsequent delivery to transform repair cells into chondrocytes.

A method for treating defects or lesions at a selected site in cartilage in animals which comprises:

• filling the defect or lesion with a biodegradable matrix containing an effective amount of a chemotactic agent to attract repair cells to the matrix and defect or lesion and an effective amount of a proliferation agent to stimulate proliferation of repair cells,
• and delivering a transforming factor into the matrix, approximately 1-2 weeks after filling the defect with the matrix, at a concentration sufficient to transform repair cells into chondrocytes.

A method for treating defects or lesions in cartilage in animals which comprises:

• filling the defect with an agent to remove proteoglycan from the surface of the defect,
• removing the agent, and
• dressing the defect with a biodegradable matrix containing an effective amount of a proliferation agent to stimulate proliferation of repair cells and containing a transforming factor associated with a delivery system that subsequently releases the transforming factor at a concentration sufficient to transform repair cells into chondrocytes.