A method for in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro repair and regeneration of degenerated, diseased or injured articular cartilage or for de novo production of cartilage, collagen, ligaments, tendons or bone, said method comprising a step of subjecting the degenerated, diseased or injured cartilage, a cartilage graft or chondrocytes or other mesenchymally-derived cells to intermittently applied hydrostatic pressure (IHP) between about 0.5 and about 30 MPa for about 2 to about 8 hours daily followed by about 16 to 22 hours recovery period for period of about 4 to about 100 days or as needed.