Cosi Talks Podcast

Do you have pain when wearing your prosthesis? How do you know whether it's phantom pain, socket pain, nerve pain, or something else entirely?

In this episode of Cosi Talks Live, Cosi (Physical Therapist & Amputee Specialist) answers real questions from the amputee community and discusses:

✔️ Residual limb pain vs. phantom limb pain
✔️ Socket fit problems and when to seek a second opinion
✔️ Neuromas, vascular pain, and blood clot concerns
✔️ Rotationplasty explained: why the foot is rotated backward
✔️ Summer sweat management and skin care tips
✔️ Lymphedema, shrinkers, and compression garments
✔️ Why prosthetists and therapists may want to review your x-rays and surgical reports
✔️ AI and online amputee information: what to trust and what to question

Whether you're a new amputee or have been living with limb loss for years, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world solutions.

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💬 Question for you:
Have you ever struggled to determine whether your pain was phantom pain, nerve pain, or a socket fit issue?

#phantompain #residuallimbpain #socketfit #prostheticleg
#amputee #amputeesupport #prostheticcare #neuroma
#physicaltherapy #amputeespecialist #cositalks #limbloss

Tonight's episode is deeply personal.

This week marks 10 years cancer free, and for the first time, I'm sharing the story of my breast cancer journey, the challenges that followed, and how that experience ultimately led me to create Cosi Talks and dedicate my career to helping amputees.

In this special episode, I discuss:

✔️ Being diagnosed with breast cancer in my 30s
✔️ Receiving a life-changing second opinion
✔️ Surgery, chemotherapy, and recovery
✔️ The emotional and mental challenges after treatment
✔️ Finding purpose through trauma
✔️ Why I opened my amputee-focused physical therapy practice
✔️ How Cosi Talks began from a simple Facebook Live
✔️ Lessons I've learned about healing, faith, resilience, and choosing to keep moving forward

Whether you're facing cancer, amputation, chronic illness, or another life-changing challenge, I hope this story reminds you that healing is possible and that your journey still has purpose.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community and celebrating this milestone with me.

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💬 If you've experienced a major life challenge, what lesson has it taught you that continues to guide you today?

#CancerSurvivor #BreastCancerSurvivor #CancerFree
#AmputeeSupport #AmputeeLife #PhysicalTherapy
#Resilience #MentalHealth #FaithOverFear
#CosiTalks #CancerJourney #SurvivorStory

Many people assume osseointegration is only for amputees who struggle with sockets.

But what if your socket works?

In this episode of Cosi Talks Live, Stacey shares her remarkable journey from multiple surgeries and amputation to becoming a successful prosthetic user—and why she ultimately chose the OPRA Implant System anyway.

We discuss:

✔️ Life as a successful above-knee socket user
✔️ Hidden challenges that others didn't see
✔️ Riding horses and returning to an active lifestyle
✔️ Multiple sclerosis, sweating, and socket limitations
✔️ The decision-making process behind osseointegration
✔️ Recovery, rehabilitation, and what surprised her most
✔️ Concerns about infection, bone fractures, and safety
✔️ The OPRA Implant System and how it works
✔️ Quality of life improvements after OI

Whether you're considering osseointegration, currently using a socket, or simply want to learn more about available options for amputees, this conversation offers valuable real-world insight.

A special thank you to Integrum for supporting this episode and helping educate the amputee community.

💪 Strong Bodies Program
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💬  If you're an amputee, what's your biggest challenge with socket use—or what questions do you have about osseointegration?

#Osseointegration #OPRAImplantSystem #AmputeeLife #AboveKneeAmputee
#Prosthetics #Integrum #AmputeeSupport #PhysicalTherapy #MobilityMatters
#CosiTalks

Do amputees need to stay "even" when they work out?

In this live Q&A episode of Cosi Talks, we explore one of the most common questions amputees have about exercise, strength training, and long-term mobility.

We also discuss:

✔️ Why symmetry matters after amputation
✔️ Compensations that can lead to pain and injury
✔️ Socket fit and its impact on walking mechanics
✔️ Managing excessive sweating and skin health inside a prosthetic liner
✔️ Osteoporosis and bone health in amputees
✔️ Hip and knee replacements after limb loss
✔️ Phantom limb pain management options
✔️ Caregiver safety and transfer techniques
✔️ When to seek a second opinion for prosthetic fit

Whether you're a new amputee, long-term prosthesis user, caregiver, therapist, or clinician, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world discussion from the amputee community.

💪 Strong Bodies Program
https://strongbody.cositalks.com

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💬  Have you ever noticed one side of your body becoming stronger or working harder than the other after amputation? How has it affected your mobility or workouts?

#AmputeeFitness #AdaptiveFitness #AmputeeLife #PhysicalTherapy #ProstheticLeg #AmputeeSupport #MobilityMatters #LimbLossAwareness #CosiTalks #AdaptiveAthlete

Paralympic swimmer and disability advocate Haven Shepherd joins Cosi Talks to share her remarkable journey from surviving a life-changing tragedy as a child to representing Team USA on the Paralympic stage.

In this inspiring conversation, Haven discusses:

✔️ Her adoption story and early life
✔️ Becoming a Paralymic swimmer
✔️ Training for the Tokyo Paralympics
✔️ The sacrifices required to compete at the highest level
✔️ Living with bilateral below-knee amputations
✔️ Swimming, prosthetics, and mobility tips
✔️ Life after elite athletics
✔️ Disability advocacy and representation
✔️ Finding purpose beyond competition

Whether you're an amputee, caregiver, athlete, therapist, or simply looking for an inspiring story, Haven's honesty, humor, and perspective make this an unforgettable conversation.

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💬  What's one challenge in your life that ultimately helped shape who you became?

#HavenShepherd #Paralympics #TeamUSA #AdaptiveAthlete #AmputeeLife
#DisabilityAwareness #AdaptiveSports #ProstheticLeg #CosiTalks #Paralympian

Why does phantom limb pain continue long after an amputation has healed?

In this special Limb Loss Awareness Month episode, Cosi welcomes neuroscientist Nick Hargus to break down the science behind phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, neuromas, and nerve signaling in a way that's easy to understand.

Topics include:

✔️ What causes phantom limb pain
✔️ Why nerves continue sending pain signals after amputation
✔️ Neuromas and nerve regeneration
✔️ Neuroplasticity and how the brain adapts after limb loss
✔️ Phantom pain vs. residual limb pain
✔️ Common medications used for pain management
✔️ TMR and RPNI surgical procedures
✔️ Electrical stimulation therapies
✔️ Emerging treatment options for chronic pain
✔️ What amputees should know about long-term pain management

If you've ever wondered why pain persists after amputation or what options may be available to help, this episode provides a fascinating look at the science behind it.

💪 Strong Bodies Program
https://strongbody.cositalks.com

🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast
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📲 Get Live Show Alerts
Text COSITALKS to 855-721-0837

💬 What has helped you manage phantom limb pain or residual limb pain most effectively?

#PhantomLimbPain #AmputeeLife #LimbLossAwareness #ResidualLimbPain #Neuroma #Neuroplasticity #PainManagement #ProstheticLife #CosiTalks #AmputeeCommunity

What prosthetic foot options are available for amputees who weigh more than 300 pounds?

In this episode of Cosi Talks Live, Cosi answers a viewer question about prosthetic feet designed for higher weight capacities and discusses several options currently available on the market.

Topics include:
✔️ Prosthetic feet for individuals over 300 lbs
✔️ Hydraulic vs. energy-storing prosthetic feet
✔️ Highlander Max prosthetic foot
✔️ Weight limits and prosthetic component selection
✔️ Heavy-duty pylons and adapters
✔️ Microprocessor feet and knees
✔️ C-Leg vs. powered knee technology
✔️ Why gait training is critical for success
✔️ Balance training for bilateral above-knee amputees
✔️ Finding experienced amputee rehabilitation professionals

Whether you're researching new prosthetic options, preparing for a component upgrade, or simply trying to better understand your choices, this discussion offers practical guidance for amputees and rehabilitation professionals alike.

💪 Strong Bodies Program
https://strongbody.cositalks.com

🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast
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💬 What prosthetic foot are you currently using, and what do you like most about it?

#ProstheticFoot #AmputeeLife #AboveKneeAmputee #BelowKneeAmputee #Prosthetics #CLeg #MicroprocessorKnee #GaitTraining #LimbLoss #CosiTalks

Who benefits most from a microprocessor prosthetic foot?

In this episode of Cosi Talks Live, Cosi breaks down the differences between hydraulic feet, microprocessor feet, dynamic response feet, and other prosthetic foot categories to help amputees better understand their options.

Topics include:
✔️ Who is a candidate for a microprocessor foot
✔️ Hydraulic feet vs microprocessor feet
✔️ The College Park Odyssey IQ
✔️ Stability vs mobility when choosing a prosthetic foot
✔️ How active lifestyle affects component selection
✔️ Microprocessor knees and feet working together
✔️ Common advantages and drawbacks of microprocessor technology
✔️ Why gait training matters after receiving new components
✔️ Prosthetic suspension systems explained
✔️ Questions to ask your prosthetist and physical therapist

Whether you're considering a new prosthetic foot or simply trying to understand the technology available today, this episode provides practical guidance for making informed decisions.

💪 Strong Bodies Program
https://strongbody.cositalks.com

🎙 Cosi Talks Podcast
https://cositalks.com

📲 Get Live Show Alerts
Text COSITALKS to 855-721-0837

💬 Would you choose more stability or more mobility in your next prosthetic foot, and why?

#ProstheticFoot #MicroprocessorFoot #AmputeeLife #Prosthetics #LimbLoss #PhysicalTherapy #MicroprocessorKnee #OdysseyIQ #AdaptiveTechnology #CosiTalks