Methods of Regenerating Cartilage

The present disclosure relates to methods of regenerating cartilage. In an embodiment, a method includes initiating a release of precursor cells, including bone marrow cells and progenitor cells, into a cartilage defect; and applying a population of exogenous cells to the cartilage defect. The exogenous cells, selected from a group including chondrocytes, synoviocytes, fat pad cells, chondroprogenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and any combination thereof, induce the precursor cells to form cartilage tissue through a release of factors by the exogenous cells. The factors stimulate the precursor cells to form cartilage cells. The cartilage cells then form cartilage tissue. The factors are selected from a group including transforming growth factors, fibroblast growth factors, platelet-derived growth factors, insulin-like growth factors, epidermal growth factors, interleukins, and any combination thereof. Other methods of regenerating cartilage are also disclosed.