A regeneration member which, under nearly natural surroundings, is
integrated into adjacent, surrounding, existent articular cartilage under
good conditions and which is capable of early regenerating articular
cartilage having an original thickness under continuous conditions, and a
production method thereof are provided. Also, a regeneration method and a
cultivation method, of articular cartilage, in vivo and in vitro are
provided. Furthermore, an artificial articular cartilage obtained by
these methods is provided.
Using a member for articular cartilage regeneration having a
hydroxyapatite porous element, having a number of pores distributed
therein, substantially all of said pores being three-dimensionally
communicated to each other through open portions, a porosity of from 50%
to 90%, both inclusive, and an average pore diameter of from 100 .mu.m to
600 .mu.m, both inclusive, articular cartilage is regenerated and
cultivated.
