1. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of an articular surface of a joint of a patient, the method comprising: processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of a cartilage surface of the joint from the image data; and generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of the cartilage surface of the joint; wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the joint.