When a foot and ankle specialist becomes a patient, you get real insight. Dr. Alan Boehm, a podiatric surgeon with extensive clinical experience, not only prescribes TayCo Brace to his patients—he’s worn the Acute XAB Brace himself. In this interview, Dr. Boehm shares how TayCo Brace has become his go-to solution for ankle stabilization in cases ranging from Achilles tendonitis to ankle arthritis, and how it helped him personally recover from peroneal tendonitis and drop foot.
Clinical Use: Treating Tendonitis and Arthritis with TayCo Brace
Dr. Boehm primarily uses TayCo Brace for conditions such as:
He notes a significant decrease in the need for traditional walking boots in his clinic:
"I used to use a lot more CAM Walkers. I use very few now... The TayCo Acute XAB Brace has done fantastic. The immobilization is just enough that it really allows people to rest and heal, and they're a lot more compliant with it."
Why Patients Prefer TayCo Brace Over a Boot
Patient satisfaction has been overwhelmingly positive. According to Dr. Boehm, many patients who try both a TayCo Acute XAB Brace and a CAM Walker choose TayCo Brace every time:
“It’s light. It’s not hot. It doesn’t go all the way up their leg. They can hide it under their pants, wear their own shoes, even with orthotics … I don’t get any negative feedback from it.”
The brace is especially appealing during warmer months or for those with balance issues aggravated by heavier boots.
“I feel more confident they’re actually wearing it. With CAM Walkers, half the time they leave them in the car. But the TayCo Acute XAB? They always have it with them.”
From Physician to Patient: Dr. Boehm’s Personal Experience
Dr. Boehm’s own turning point came when he was battling peroneal tendonitis and mild drop foot. After trying several options without relief, his clinic’s pedorthist fitted him with a TayCo Brace over-the-shoe ankle support:
“It was a game changer … The stress was off the tendons, and I could hide it in my scrubs. I zoomed around the clinic in it. Didn’t even need anti-inflammatories.”
He wore it for about four weeks and was amazed by how quickly and comfortably he was able to recover.
“I tell patients, I’ve worn it myself. Boots are good, but this is light. It’s easy. It looks sporty. You can use it with stairs and unlock it as you recover.”
Improved Compliance and Recovery Outcomes
The adjustable nature of the brace makes it ideal for progressive recovery. Patients can:
-
Start with full immobilization
-
Transition to partial support
-
Eventually unlock completely for normal movement
“It’s almost like a one-stop-shop. You can dial in the support you need as healing progresses. You can’t do that with a boot.”
Ideal for Active Patients
Dr. Boehm finds the brace especially effective for motivated, mobile patients who want to stay active while healing:
“I had a patient who just got back from Iceland. She said it was a game changer—airports, hiking, all of it.”
A Message to Other Physicians
To doctors hesitant about switching from traditional boots:
“Think about patient compliance. This brace doesn’t aggravate the knees, hips, or back like a CAM Walker can. It works with orthotics and allows you to gradually reduce immobilization as needed.”
Final Thoughts: A Better Patient Experience
Whether used in the clinic or personally, Dr. Boehm says TayCo Brace delivers. He even joked that some of the more hesitant patients always come back for it:
“They try the little compression socks or other braces, and then they come back later like, ‘Yeah, I think I need that TayCo.’”
Try the Brace Trusted by Doctors
The TayCo Acute XAB Brace is the high-performance, over-the-shoe ankle brace designed for real mobility and real results. Whether you’re treating patients—or recovering yourself—it’s time to experience the difference.
Watch the full interview above.
Learn more about the TayCo Acute XAB Brace, or its off-the-shelf counterpart available for you to purchase directly, the TayCo RecoverX Brace.
