Osteochondral defects are frequent, painful, debilitating and expensive to treat, often resulting in poor results. The goal of the present study was to synthesize and characterize a novel biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogel comprised of poly(ethylene glycol), gelatin, and genipin, and examine the hydrogel as an injectable biomaterial in combination with a cyanoacrylate-based surgical sealant for cartilage repair. An osteochondral knee defect was generated in 24 rats, then the hydrogel, with or without a surgical sealant, was injected into the defect and followed for 14 days. The results demonstrated that the hydrogel is biocompatible and biodegradable, and that the cyanoacrylate-based surgical sealant is a relatively safe option for maintaining the hydrogel in the defect. This is the first study describing a cyanoacrylate-based surgical sealant in combination with a polymer hydrogel for cartilage repair.