Abstract: A bio-absorbable cartilage repair system for regenerating damaged or destroyed articular cartilage on the surface of a bone by establishing a chondrogenic growth-supporting matrix between an area of removed damaged or destroyed articular cartilage and the adjacent healthy cancellous bone. The system is at least one assembly of a bio-absorbable delivery unit, configured and dimensioned to be mounted in both the removed area and the adjacent healthy area, and a porous bio-absorbable insert supported by and in the delivery unit and establishing communication between the removed area and the adjacent healthy area for a chondrogenic growth-supporting matrix. The insert preferably includes a repair factor (e.g., a growth factor, an attachment factor, or both) releasably disposed in the insert to assist in establishing the chondrogenic growth-supporting matrix.