For his Roaming St. Louis segment this week, KMOX host Scott Jagow ventured into a rarely-seen part of the medical industry. He spent time at Orthotic and Prosthetic Lab in Webster Groves. For 38 years, the company has been making braces, artificial limbs and more.
It's a fascinating business when you learn about the technology that drives it and hear the stories of people whose lives have often turned from tragedy to triumph. Scott chats with company president Tom Malone, who says everyone has a "victory story," and Al Voss, who certainly does after losing his leg to cancer. He now carves wooden figurines with his trademark Purple Leg Productions.
Below the photos, listen to Voss's story and Malone's explanation of his company's role in the St. Louis medical complex.
Al Voss, who lost his leg to cancer, rides a bike five miles a day and makes wooden figurines with his Purple Leg Productions company.Scott Jagow
Braces and artificial limbs can be created with a custom wrap at the Orthotic and Prosthetic LabScott Jagow
At the Orthotic and Prosthetic Lab, workers create custom casts for each client, then as the saying goes, "break the mold."Scott Jagow
Al Voss (left), a client at the Orthotic and Prosthetic Lab, with Tom Malone, president of the companyScott Jagow
Al Voss says a sense of humor is the best medicine if you're dealing with an artificial leg. His leg has two computer chips in it and can be operated through Bluetooth on his phoneScott Jagow
Old foot molds are tossed into an area known as "the boneyard" at the Orthotic and Prosthetic LabScott Jagow
