SPOC has assembled the most experienced team of Prosthetic and Orthotic Professionals under one roof in New York State. Timely and quality care are among the reasons data from national surveys place SPOC in the 99th percentile of positive results.


A very important aspect of the care your patients receive at SPOC is the way we interact with you, PTs and the other medical professionals helping your patient move on to the next phase of their life. We may become involved with their care even before surgery occurs, working with MDs to help prepare patients for their artificial limb from the very start. We strive to identify any problems quickly so that adjustments can be made immediately to maximize positive patient outcomes.

Helping patients understand that with the right prosthesis that they can get back into life and enjoy most of what they were able to do before their amputation, is our main concern.

“I would like to express my deep appreciation to the three people of Syracuse Prosthetic Center, John, Gary and Sheila, for all that you have done for me over the past 25 years. You guys keep me walking comfortably and that’s a real challenge!”
Donna Ross, Oneonta, NY

In 1866 Chauncy A. Frees began making artificial limbs to help soldiers injured in the Civil War. In 1874 he received the first of many awards for excellence for his care.

The small family owned business continued to provide care over the years under the supervision of Mr. Frees’ son and then his grandson, Chauncy W. Frees. Then in 1943 Howard Tyo, a promising Olympic hopeful skater from Northern New York, lost his leg in Italy. During his convalescence he took a strong interest in his own recovery and showed an aptitude for prosthesis that was encouraged by his doctors. He was soon assisting in the fitting of other veterans. He returned to New York and apprenticed in prosthetics under Chauncy W. Frees. Chauncy was so impressed with the young man’s skill he took him on as a partner in 1952. Howard took over the business when Chauncy retired in 1964 and soon became recognized nationally as one of the leaders in the field of prosthetics.

Howard began his own family tradition when his son John, our current director, became interested in the field at an early age and followed him into the business. Under John Tyo’s direction, the practice grew from a local facility to the 10th largest provider of orthotic and prosthetic services in the U.S. But John, driven by the need to provide more personal care, sold much of the company in 1996 and re-established a patient care facility here in Central New York in 1997. Today, the tradition continues through John’s own son, our CEO, Jeff Tyo.