Polyhydroxyalkanoate materials are provided which are suitable
for repair of soft tissue, augmentation, and as viscosupplements in animals, particularly
humans. The materials comprise liquid polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer compositions
or polyhydroxyalkanoate microdispersions. Devices also are provided for storage
and delivery of the polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions in vivo. Methods are provided
for repairing or augmenting soft tissue in animals using the materials. In a preferred
embodiment, the method include the steps of (a) selecting the animal soft tissue
to be repaired or augmented; and (b) placing an injectable, liquid polyhydroxyalkanoate
polymer or a polyhydroxyalkanoate microdispersion into the animal soft tissue,
preferably using a minimally-invasive method such as injection. In another embodiment,
the liquid polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer compositions or polyhydroxyalkanoate microdispersions
are used as viscosupplements.