A method for the evaluation of the ultrastructure of connective tissue, such
as
cartilage, including (a) providing a probe operative in the near-infrared or mid-infrared
region of the electromagnetic spectrum, (b) positioning the probe either to be
in contact with the connective tissue (for detecting attenuated total reflectance)
or within a sufficient distance from the surface of the connective tissue (for
detecting reflection), (c) detecting infrared radiation which penetrates the surface
of the connective tissue for detecting attenuated total reflectance or which reflects
off the surface of the connective tissue and (d) analyzing the infrared radiation
from step (c) for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency, and comparing
at least one of the peak height, the peak area and the frequency for established
values for at least one of peak height, peak area and frequency for normal connective
tissue to detect a modification in the molecular structure of the connective tissue.