Meniscal augmentation device

A method for fabricating a meniscal augmentation device having an in vivo shape of a segmental defect in a meniscus, comprising:

• (a) placing a plurality of biocompatible and bioresorbable fibers into a mold, the fibers including natural polymers, analogs of natural polymers, or mixtures of natural polymers;
• (b) lyophilizing the molded fibers to produce a dry and porous matrix;
• (c) contacting the fibers with a chemical crosslinking agent such that the fibers assume the shape of the mold;
• and
• (d) during step (a) or after step (c), shaping the outer surface of said device to be substantially complementary to that of the segmental defect in the meniscus,
• thereby establishing a dry, porous volume matrix having pores the diameter of which range in size from about 50 microns to about 500 microns, the matrix, when implanted into a knee joint, forming a biocompatible and an at least partially bioresorbable scaffold for ingrowth of meniscal fibrochondrocytes and for supporting natural meniscal load forces, and whereby the in vivo outer surface of the composite of said scaffold and said meniscus is substantially the same as a natural meniscus without a segmental defect.