Abstract: A method of surgically implanting into a site with cancellous bone a bio-absorbable cartilage repair system including an assembly. The method includes the steps of partially preparing the site to receive the assembly by removing at least a portion of the damaged or destroyed articular cartilage, and then removably fixing the forward tip of a guide wire in the cancellous bone under the removed articular cartilage. The guide wire is then utilized to further prepare the site to receive the assembly by drilling and countersinking the subchondral cancellous bone and to seat the assembly into the drilled and countersunk subchondral cancellous bone until the assembly is flush with the surrounding articular surface. The guide wire is then removed.