Stimulation of cartilage growth with agonists of the non-proteolytically activated thrombin receptor

Disclosed is a method of stimulating cartilage growth, repair or regeneration at a site in a subject in need of such growth, repair or regeneration. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agonist of the non-proteolytically activated thrombin receptor to the site. Also disclosed is a method of stimulating the proliferation and expansion of chrondrocytes in vitro. The method comprises culturing chrondrocytes in the presence of a stimulating amount of an NPAR agonist.