ObjectiveTo summarize the tissue engineering techniques for cartilage repair on the combination fields of the three elements of tissue engineering:cells, scaffolds and signals. MethodsThe literature on cell-scaffold-based cartilage repair techniques, cell-free scaffolds, and scaffold-free approaches was reviewed and summarized. ResultsThe cell-scaffold-based cartilage repair techniques such as matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (chondrocytes are seeded on the scaffold) are able to enhance the survival of the cells; cell-free scaffolds can promote cell recruitment with chemoatractants; and scaffold-free approaches have better hyaline-like properties and can avoid the toxic effect of scaffold degradation products. ConclusionCombination fields of the three elements of tissue engineering provide a more biomimetic environment for cartilage repair and have broad prospects.