Meet Patrick

At 75 years old, Patrick Krueger isn’t slowing down anytime soon. A proud grandfather from South Bend, Ind., Patrick fills his days with golf, swimming, long walks with his wife, and a daily step goal of 10,000+, an active lifestyle that keeps him feeling young and energized.

But one unexpected fall nearly brought all of that to a halt.

A Painful Fall and a Fractured Fibula

While enjoying a regular day, Patrick suddenly collapsed due to dehydration. The fall resulted in severe pain and a trip to the ER. Emergency responders rushed him in, especially cautious given his history of open-heart surgery five years prior. After X-rays and thorough evaluation, doctors diagnosed Patrick with a hairline fracture of the left fibula.

His initial treatment? A traditional CAM walking boot — bulky, restrictive, and hard to manage for someone used to staying on the move. It offered stability but made everyday movement frustrating and uncomfortable.

Discovering the Best Ankle Stabilizer for Recovery

Not one to sit still, Patrick sought out a second opinion at South Bend Orthopedics, where he met Dr. Bemenderfer. That’s where he was introduced to a life-changing alternative: the TayCo Acute XAB Brace — a revolutionary ankle stabilizer designed to provide support without sacrificing mobility.

Unlike the boot, the Acute XAB Brace fit comfortably over Patrick’s shoe, protected both sides of his lower leg, and took less than a minute to put on. It offered the support his injury needed — without limiting his movement or daily activities.

Back on His Feet — and Back to Life

With the help of the Acute XAB Brace, Patrick quickly returned to doing what he loves:

Long walks with his wife
Cheering at football games
Daily chores without pain
Looking ahead to his next round of golf

“ayCo Brace gave me the freedom to keep moving,” Patrick said. “I’ll definitely be keeping it around!”

The Takeaway

For active adults recovering from injuries like fibula fractures, TayCo Brace offers one of the best ankle brace solutions available today. Lightweight, functional, and easy to use, it’s more than just an alternative to a walking boot — it’s a smarter path to recovery that keeps you moving.

Confidence to walk again!

I can not express how much of a difference my TayCo AthleticX Brace has made in one short week!! After a trimalleoar fracture with dislocation, surgery, 4 screws, and a lengthy non-weight bearing recovery period, I am finally confident with my ankle stability and walking safely! The 3 1/2 months between my fall and finding the TayCo AthleticX brace was stressful... wondering how I would recover & rehab safely from this injury. I had minimal guidance from my doctor regarding a 'next step' brace once I could stop using the awkward & uncomfortable CAM Boot. The 'inside-the-shoe' brace options were either flimsy, poorly constructed, didn't fit, or did nothing to support the joint or boost my confidence so that I could safely rehab & recover as winter approached.
Then one night, there they were.... The TayCo AthleticX and the RecoverX. I went back & forth about which to order, and Kelly was amazing answering my various questions regarding fit, as well as ensuring my order arrived in advance of my next ortho appointment! I chose the AthleticX because of the fit details (height of side uprights were a better fit for me. As soon as I put the brace on, I knew it was different, and the perfect solution to ensure a great recovery!
The stirrup strap was easy to set/adjust and it fits very securely along the bottom of several pairs of shoes. The series of 3 straps are perfectly placed, providing great support and easy adjustability should my foot swell during/after PT or activity. The strap lengths are AMAZING! This has been a huge sticking point for me as I was 'blessed' with generous ankles & calves.... LOL! The strap across the top of the foot has plenty of room to adjust for many different shoes, or snow boots, and the 2 ankle straps are more than sufficient for a comfortable and supportive fit! And Kelly made sure I knew that the longer straps from the RecoverX brace could always be substituted should the original ones not fit.
My physical therapist, doctor, chiropractor, and even a brace/prosthetics specialist were all impressed with the design and the support. I have made amazing strides in physical therapy since starting to use the AthletcX, and my physical therapist is more than happy with the support, and confidence, this brace has given me. My chiropractor is thrilled to see me out of the boot and into a brace which allows for proper alignment in my hips, low back, knees, and encourages a natural gait. He's even looking into getting one for himself! While my ankle is still regaining strength, flexibility, and mobility, and there is still pain, I am overall feeling so much better, both physically and mentally! My body no longer aches because of awkward gait & misalignment. My confidence when walking, even with winter weather, is 100% because of the support from the AthleticX. And because my body is doing better and I'm able to do more, my mental health is so much better!!
A complex ankle fracture takes a toll on your mind and soul. It impacts every aspect of your life... and can stretch your patience, determination, and confidence. Any bit of independence you can reclaim, no matter how small, makes a huge difference in your recovery. And having the RecoverX on my ankle has been the biggest difference!
Thank you so much TayCo Brace!!!

First time user

Once the brace is on it is comfortable and feels very supportive …however getting it on properly is a different story, at least for me. You have to bend the side of foot brace outwards to get the first velcro strap into the slot to tighten over the top of your foot…which messes up the heal position of the shoe. The second and third straps going across your calf easily tangle and the velcro straps stick to each other often….when getting them apart you detach the straps from the brace itself making you have to start all over again….no fun.

I am sure with more use I will get better at putting the brace on, but I now dread using it due to the difficulty I am having putting it on properly….I have to give myself extra time before leaving for activities….

My experience and you asked….

Thank you for sharing your review, Paul! We’re glad to hear the brace feels comfortable and supportive once it’s on, and we truly appreciate the honest feedback about the challenges you’re having during setup. We're actively working on your exact concerns. Many customers find that once they get the hang of it, putting on the brace becomes quick and consistent. Our support team will reach out to help make your experience with the AthleticX Brace as smooth as possible.

This brace has given me the opportunity to participate and living life again

I have been struggling for almost a year with achilles issues. I experience acute pain with every step I take, the sac on the back of my ankle is swollen and I get shooting burning pain that radiates from the back of my foot down the side. I was in a walking boot that made everything worse and was developing issues with my hips. I need surgery but due to the length of time needed for recovery and rehab , it is not a viable option for me as my mom requires 24hr care. My doctor seeing no improvement from current treatment of my condition and instead I was now suffering from the adverse effects of the traditional walking boot. In consideration of my particular predicament, the doctor focused on pain management for my continued treatment. Enter the Tayco XAB brace. As soon as I put it on, I felt more stable and it was easier to walk. As I continued to acclimate to the brace I found myself able to accomplish normal tasks again. As time goes on, my physical abilities and stamina continue to increase. In September I was able to return to bowl in our bowling league of forty plus years.Don't get me wrong, I can't walk the 5 miles a day I used to and my bowling average is lower than it used to be but this brace has allowed me to function and participate and enjoy life.
I don't wear shoes in the house, hence no brace, causing inflammation, aggravation and pain by days end. It was more than evident how much difference this little brace can make in one's life so I bought a new pair of sketchers slip-ins and a new Tayco Recovery brace which is almost identical to the XAB brace I got from the doctor to wear in the house. The straps could be improved and take a little getting used to but the premise of this brace is ingenious and I would recommend it to anyone with foot/ankle troubles.

Thank you for sharing your experience, Joelle! We’re so glad your braces have given you stability, reduced your pain, and helped you get back to daily activities and even your bowling league. That’s exactly what we hope for when someone is struggling with the limitations of a traditional walking boot.

We appreciate your feedback on the straps and will keep it in mind as we continue improving. Thank you again for the recommendation and for trusting TayCo Brace as part of your recovery. If you ever need support, we’re here to help.

Walking Boot/RecoverX Brace

Thank you for this brace. It is working great from keeping my ankle from rolling over. It is comfortable to walk in. I give it a “10”.

Thank you for the wonderful review, Jewell! We’re so glad to hear your RecoverX Brace is keeping your ankle stable and feels comfortable to walk in. A “10” means a lot to our team. We appreciate you choosing TayCo Brace!

Delayed Recovery

Timely delivery upon selection. A must for Orthopedic leg/foot walking recovery. Thank you.

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review, RJ! We’re glad to hear your RecoverX Brace arrived quickly and has been helpful during your recovery. If you ever have questions or need support along the way, our team is here for you.

ACTIVE MOBILITY

INJURY RECOVERY

PRESCRIPTION-ONLY

BRACE REFURBISHMENT

ACTIVE MOBILITY

INJURY RECOVERY

PRESCRIPTION-ONLY

BRACE REFURBISHMENT

75-Year-Old Active Grandfather Recovers from Left Fibula Fracture

Meet Patrick

A Painful Fall and a Fractured Fibula

Discovering the Best Ankle Stabilizer for Recovery

Back on His Feet — and Back to Life

The Takeaway

What Ankle Brace is Justin Herbert Wearing?

Get Back to It. Faster.

Hear More Patient Stories

“You’re Not Your Injuries”: Jeremy Barfield (aka FlankThomas) on Resilience, Surgery, and Finding Freedom in a Better Brace

Finding Balance at 89: How TayCo Brace Helps Dr. John Harrington Stay Active

75-Year-Old Active Grandfather Recovers from Left Fibula Fracture

Let customers speak for us