1. A joint arthroplasty system for repairing a diseased or damaged joint of a patientcomprising: an implant; and a patient-specific surgical instrument configured to facilitate the placement of the implant into the diseased or damaged joint, the instrument comprising: a patient-specific surface for engaging a corresponding portion of the diseased or damaged joint, the patient-specific surface including cartilage information derived from image data of the diseased or damaged joint, wherein the corresponding portion of the diseased or damaged joint includes an osteophyte, wherein the patient-specific surface references the osteophyte when the patient-specific surface is engaged and aligned with the corresponding portion of the diseased or damaged joint; and a guide sized and shaped to accommodate a surgical tool, wherein the guide has a position and orientation relative to the patient-specific surface to provide a predetermined path for the surgical tool.