My pursuit of a career in orthopaedics has come as no surprise to those around me. Growing up on our family horse farm in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, afforded me many mechanical tasks. Foot and ankle orthopaedics was an obvious choice: the diverse patient population, challenging surgeries, and the ability to help my patients get back to the activities they enjoy most. As medical missionary Dr. Albert Schweitzer said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by the spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” It is my responsibility, but also privilege as a surgeon, to empower my patients with ‘that light’, through optimism, knowledge and ultimately relief, through both non-operative and surgical means. I perform a variety of reconstructive procedures, including: fore/midfoot surgeries, ankle arthroscopy and cartilage restorative surgery, tendon/ligament repair/reconstruction, lower extremity fracture care, ankle replacement and fusion, diabetic Charcot reconstruction (including use of Ilizarov thin-wire frame techniques) and advanced deformity reconstruction for conditions related to arthritic, neurologic, congenital or acquired conditions.
I am a 39 year old man and sustained a traumatic displaced trimalleolar fracture of my right ankle. I underwent ORIF receiving nine screws, a plate, and a syndesmosis wire. I was six weeks non weight bearing and after being cleared to weight bearing as tolerated, I quickly discovered that the CAM boot is what I wasn't going to be able to tolerate. Unaffected side hip pain due to uneven sole stack height, painful pressure on the surgical scars, and plantar pain due to lack of foot bed support all after only a few days in the CAM boot. I am a Nurse and work on my feet so this was unsustainable. I discovered the Tayco RecoverX brace while searching for alternatives, and it is a game changer. Immediate solutions to all the previous CAM boot problems and I have been able to return to work without delay. I am infinitely more mobile than the CAM boot would allow as well. I have now introduced this brace to my surgeon and physical therapy team, both were unaware of this alternative and say they will be recommending it to their patients going forward. Coworkers and friends that have seen it and how quickly it allows return to normal activities, especially those that have had the misfortune of wearing a CAM boot in the past, are impressed and wish that this option was available for them. Thank you for this innovation, and know that the Tayco RecoverX brace is truly a superior solution for cases such as mine.
My wife had a stroke and left her left side affected to where her left ankle would turn out with each step. This made walking very difficult and a couple of times she has fallen once breaking her left arm. This ankle brace keeps her ankle from turning out now and has improved her walking ability with assistance from a walker.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Terry. We’re incredibly glad to hear the AthleticX Brace is helping your wife walk more safely and confidently after her stroke. Preventing those ankle rollouts—and the dangerous falls they can cause—is exactly what we aim to do. Wishing you both continued progress and strength on her recovery journey!
* UPDATE * After posting online about brace having straps a bit short, TayCo immediately contacted me and made things right. They are sending me a larger brace at no cost, great customer service. I now rate my brace and service to 5-stars. Thanks Garrett and Gavin!
I bought the 7-9 Male brace and wear an 8.5” Wide shoe and it will only fit on my tennis shoes as my foot is still swollen from surgery, and is way too short with any of my boots. Rubber strap and bottom velocity strap needs to be longer, at least for my situation.
We appreciate the feedback, Michael. We will send you a larger size brace to see if that helps make a difference. Keep us posted.
I think this brace will work but I’m concerned about the strap that goes under the shoe. I’ll be wearing the brace with shoes that don’t have cleats, if the strap wears out can the strap be replaced?
That’s great to hear, Vickey! The strap that runs under the shoe is reinforced with Kevlar—so while it may wear down over time like a shoe sole, it shouldn’t break. If it ever does, just let us know and we’ll replace it for free.