Dr. Jason Stoneback, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and director of the Limb Restoration Program at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, unexpectedly passed away in August 2026.
Dr. Jason Stoneback served as chief of orthopedic trauma and fracture surgery, professor of orthopedics, and director of the Limb Restoration Program.Impact: He was a pioneer in osseointegration and limb salvage, helping hundreds of patients with severe injuries avoid amputation and regain mobility.
The medical community and his patients (including me) mourned his sudden loss in early August 2026.
I'll be attending his s…
Dr. Jason Stoneback, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and director of the Limb Restoration Program at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, unexpectedly passed away in August 2026.
Dr. Jason Stoneback served as chief of orthopedic trauma and fracture surgery, professor of orthopedics, and director of the Limb Restoration Program.Impact: He was a pioneer in osseointegration and limb salvage, helping hundreds of patients with severe injuries avoid amputation and regain mobility.
The medical community and his patients (including me) mourned his sudden loss in early August 2026.
I'll be attending his service:
Monday, August 31, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location:George & Barbara Eidsness Arena
4817 National Western Drive
Denver, Colorado
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the National Western Stock Show
... and additionally at remembrance UCHealth Anschutz on September 1st 2026, which also happens that he was born on September 1, 1978, and would have been celebrating his 48th birthday this year.
Update (09-08-2026): given the popularity of this posting, I wanted to provide an update. For anyone that missed his memorial service, a version from the 8/31/2026 at CSU Denver may be located here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DsUeVguaT/ (via https://www.facebook.com/littletonequinemedicalcenter)
Dr. Stoneback, in my particular case, provided a life-saving AKA. Likewise, my personal story, strongly parallels those of many of his other patients: seven prior surgeries, over the course of an eighteen month period for a poly-microbial infection - that my other providers, just couldn't get under control.
Of course, complicating matters, was the fact I had a 10 pound metal implant, to replace my proximal tibia that was placed in 2005, under a procedure known as "limb-salvage/spiring surgery"; the implant itself I had removed with my diseased bone is known as an endoprosthesis (aka. megaprosthesis).
The endoprosthesis, that originally replaced my proximal tibia - back in 2005 - were the battle wounds of having endured through stage IIIa/IIIb, with only a ~20% of survival and a poor prognosis.
While, I beat those odds - 2015 marked the start of some chronic health issues. Around ~6 years into this process, I then had an acute infection that accompanied it. As Dr. Stoneback became my second-opinion provider, I nevertheless - had him take over my case. I still recall to this day, when Dr. Stoneback asked me "can I take your case? Can I please take your case?" By the time I was diagnosed, the infection had spread to the adjoining bone (osteomyelitis), my other provider somehow managed to fracture my femur and gaslit me, and beyond that I tried warning her and her infectious disease provider partner (who were in cahoots), that I had an infection while on IV antibiotics. While most other providers would have been seeking a way to get out of potential dangers of liability - Dr. Stoneback, instead, dove head-first - recognizing he was my last and final hope. It's rather serendipitous, when I found out after his passing and during his memorial service - that he both spearheaded and was the brain-child of the life-changing/improving limb-restoration program at UCHealth Anschutz.
During the reception ceremony, following Dr. Stoneback's service on 8/31/2026 - I recounted just how lucky I was, to have Dr. Stoneback's - competent and warm approach, during a time of real need. He was well renowned, highly regarded and well-loved. Considering this page is still receiving quite a considerable amount of traffic, I found it prudent to update this post, and share about where you can access his memorial service - in the event you missed out.
Once more, Dr. Stoneback... thank you for being gifted, for taking up the challenge of my case, and for saving my life. I am certain, many other providers would have veered entirely clear of my can-of-worms case and wouldn't have wanted to become involved. It is serendipitous, when I found out the backstory of UChealth's Limb Restoration Program and the unique contributions of Dr. Stoneback's leading and being the brainchild of the program. It only reaffirms regarding just how kind, generous, gifted and compassionate a provider he was. While his memory will live on, in each of us he positively affected - my heart goes out to his team for their deep loss as well. I am certain it will remain an important bastion to care, for complicated cases - just as my own!
