This is incredibly interesting. Gives me a bit of future hope as well. About to have a joint replaced, and the doc was very clear the operation may well need to be “revised” in 10+ years.
I acknowledge and accept that risk, of course. But if we can regenerate cartilage (in that very specific context), revision could look more akin to removing the joint socket liner and replacing it with new cartilage by then.
Or by the 20 year mark - let’s be honest, I’m in my 40s so having a second revision is not out of the question at all, if I’m otherwise in acceptable health.
Even if the (smashed) ball side of the joint has to be straight replaced again at that time, half the surgery is better than all of it.