An apparatus and methods are provided for a tapered implant for treating osteochondral defects. The tapered implant comprises a top portion that includes a shape that approximates an osteochondral surface to be replaced. A bottom portion of the tapered implant is configured to be implanted into a hole drilled in bone. A cylindrical sidewall of the tapered implant has a diameter that decreases from a first diameter of the top portion to a second diameter of the bottom portion. The tapered implant comprises any monophasic synthetic material suitable for implantation into bone, including any of silicone, bioglass, peek, polyethylene, titanium, and cobalt chrome.
