A method of making a creep resistant, highly lubricious, tough hydrogel includes the steps of preparing a first solution including polyacrylamide-co-acrylic acid and another polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol), and introducing a second solution a gellant into the first solution to form the hydrogel. The first solution can be heated to a first temperature above room temperature, and the combination of the first solution and the second solution can be cooled to a second temperature at or below room temperature. The hydrogel can be used for cartilage repair or in an interpositional device that requires mechanical integrity, high water content, and excellent lubricity in order to fully function under the high stress environment in the joint space and withstand high loads of human joints.
