Patent ID: 7931690

Claim:
A method of treating a damaged or diseased portion of an articular surface of a bone comprising: determining an extent of the damaged or diseased portion of the articular surface of the bone; removing the damaged or diseased portion of the articular surface to form a recess having a size determined by the extent of the damaged or diseased portion of the articular surface; and inlaying an implant into the recess, the implant having an outer surface configured and dimensioned to form a continuation and replacement of the portion of the articular surface on the bone when implanted, and capable of bearing weight placed upon the articular surface within which the implant is implanted, an inner surface including a porous structure operative to contact bone and to promote tissue growth into or onto the porous structure of bone of the patient, thereby forming a fixation between the implant and the bone of the patient, the outer surface and inner surface transferring a weight placed upon the articular surface to bone beneath the articular surface, wherein the implant includes a metal material.