What if surgery and virtual reality could dramatically reduce phantom limb pain?
On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Dr. Glenn Gaston, orthopedic hand and upper-extremity surgeon, to explore groundbreaking innovations in amputee care — including the Starfish Procedure and a virtual reality treatment for phantom limb pain.
Dr. Gaston shares how a life-changing patient experience led him to build a dedicated amputee clinic and push beyond century-old methods of care. We dive into:
- The Starfish Procedure — restoring individual finger control for partial hand amputees
- A non-opioid VR therapy that reduces phantom limb pain by up to 50% in a single session
- Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and advances in prosthetic control
- How VR retrains the brain after limb loss
- Osseointegration and emerging sensory prosthetic technology
- The international Brecon Conference coming to Charlotte this April
- Arms for All and expanding access to upper-limb prosthetics – https://armsforall.org/
Dr. Gaston also shares his journey into amputee care, the inspiration behind his innovations, and why collaboration between surgeons, prosthetists, therapists, and mental health professionals is shaping the future of limb loss recovery.
If you or someone you love is living with limb loss, chronic pain, or exploring prosthetic options — this conversation offers real hope and cutting-edge insight.
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What happens when you survive COVID… but wake up to a completely different life? In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Brianna Heitzman, a certified employment specialist with Down Syndrome of Louisville, whose life was forever changed after a severe battle with COVID-19. After being placed on a ventilator and ECMO, Brianna faced an unimaginable outcome—the loss of her legs. But her story doesn’t end there. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and rebuilding a life with purpose. Brianna’s journey is raw, real, and deeply inspiring—a reminder that even after life-changing trauma, there is still a path forward.
What happens when a story about limb loss hits the news—and suddenly everyone you know is texting you about it? If you’re part of the limb loss community, you already know. In this solo episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland dives into the experience of being “the limb loss friend”—the person others turn to when they don’t fully understand what they’re seeing but want to connect.
Stacy and Courtney Walker are proving that teamwork knows no limits. As the only known mother-daughter duo in wheelchair power soccer, they proudly represent Arizona Heat Power Soccer—competing, training, and pushing boundaries together on and off the court. Their journey is about more than just the game. It’s about resilience, family, and the power of adaptive sports to change lives. On this episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland sits down with Stacy and Courtney to share their story—how they got involved in power soccer, what it’s like competing side by side, and what being part of Arizona Heat Power Soccer truly means. Now, they’re working toward their next big goal: competing at Power Soccer Nationals.
