In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for repairing a cartilage defect including: preparing a cartilage defect by removing unwanted or damaged tissue; creating at least one perforation into or through subchondral bone, below and/or adjacent to the cartilage defect to induce the flow of bone fluid; allowing the bone fluid to bleed through the at least one perforation up into the cartilage defect to fill at least a portion of the cartilage defect; and applying a biomaterial into the defect to produce a clot for cartilage regeneration.