The following is a transcript of a report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks that first aired May 23, 2008, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

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Whether it's medical dramas on television or science fiction thrillers on the big screen, Hollywood often uses medicine as a source of inspiration.

Now, some in the medical field are looking to Hollywood for ideas. And, it seems they've found an innovative way to find and treat injuries.

Most sci-fi thrillers are oozing with special effects. Now, high-tech medical labs are turning to three-dimensional animation techniques to spot injuries.

Runner Christine Glendon's normal jog on the open road is a little more involved this day with strategically-placed reflectors, hi-tech cameras and a 3D motion tracking computer.

"I thought that this would be a really interesting way to help increase the evidence-based knowledge we have about running and improving running," said Glendon.

That's just one reason for the state-of-the art labs, which are being used to pick up subtle injuries in hip, knees and shoulder joints.

"It's the same kind of equipment that they use for special effects in movies like "The Matrix" or some of these really fancy video games," said Dr. Ajit Chaudhari of the Ohio University Medical Center.

Putting reflectors at various points on a patient and using specialized cameras let doctors track every move on a motion-sensing floor. By analyzing the patient on a computer, doctors can detect the slightest risk of injury.

"Being able to kind of get on the camera and kind of slowing things down really helps," said researcher Melissa Converse.

The technology already pays off for athletes, but it can also be used to catch very subtle injuries in other types of patients.

"For example, in a factory, you know, how do workers move when they're moving boxes or assembling a car?" said Converse.

Catching those problems early could help researcher make huge strides in learning how to prevent them in the first place.

Hollywood special effects are very expensive, so using that kind of technology in bio-mechanical labs is just as much.

And that means there are very few around. But researchers said the more common the technology, the more patients they'll be able to help in the future.

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