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.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
The North American One - Armed Golfer Association president Dan Aldrich is the latest guest on the We're Not Stumped podcast. Dan was a teenager in late 1980s Los Angeles, competing as a high-speed international water skier until a [...]
Terry Tucker is a renowned international podcast guest, specializing in motivation, self-development, and mindset. With a diverse background spanning from being an NCAA Division I college basketball player to serving as a SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, Terry brings a [...]
In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, I welcome right above-knee amputee (RAKA) and bodybuilder Tracy Gariepy LaMarche. Tracy wasn't your typical athlete. In fact, she didn't even dip her toes into the world of physical fitness [...]
