75-Year-Old Active Grandfather Recovers from Left Fibula Fracture
75-Year-Old Active Grandfather Recovers from Left Fibula Fracture
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.
Since this brace isn’t technically ’for’ my condition, I wanted to share my experience with anyone who may be unsure. I’m actually living on disability, so I understand that $200 is a big commitment for some.
First off, a bit of background. I suffered a stroke four years ago that left me with spastic hemiplegia in my right side. Because of this, my right foot supinates. I saw ‘foot drop’ in the list of conditions this device was intended for but while going through the reviews I saw the magic ‘s’ word and decided to give it a shot… and I’m so glad I did.
The first brace I tried was your typical fixed AFO. After a few months I upgraded to one with an articulated ankle, which was great for maintaining muscle but both of them went inside the shoe and the platform covered my entire sole limiting the tactile information passed to my brain. Because of this I tried the SaeboStep. This offered me the option of wearing it with any shoe and gave me the tactile sensation that my brain craved. However it had limited range of motion and because it hooked to anchors installed in the eyeholes on the tops of a given shoe it would pull my toes to the end. Then I discovered this brace.
Not only can I wear several shoe types with it - my preference is a pair of barefoot style shoes - it offers the tactical sensation I’m looking for. Because it holds the back of my foot it allows for foot flexibility making walking backwards, up and down stairs and even sideways much easier. I’ve spent the last four years trying every device I can find and I can assure you that this is my favorite so far. It’s lightweight, comfortable and very functional. Maybe not the easiest to don and doff one-handed but as I mentioned above, this device isn’t exactly intended for my condition.
I cannot tell you how glad I am that I tried this device. ‘Life-changing’ is not an exaggeration by any means.
Thank you so much for sharing your powerful story, Joshua! We’re incredibly honored that TayCo Brace has made such a meaningful difference for you, especially after trying so many options. Your detailed feedback and honesty about your journey will no doubt help others in similar situations. It’s inspiring to hear how well it’s worked for your unique needs. We’re truly grateful you gave it a shot—and even more so that it’s been life-changing.
Finally, I am able to resume activity without fear of injuring myself. The brace literally makes it impossible to turn my ankle unexpectedly. Thank you!
Thank you, Andrea! We’re thrilled to hear the brace has given you the confidence to get back to activity safely. That kind of support and peace of mind is exactly what we aim to provide!
Very happy with this product!!! The boot was really bothering me not being able to flex my foot at all and overall I just could not walk in a boot that was almost to my knee. This product got me moving faster and better on the crutches after a crushed ankle. Thank you!
Thank you for the fantastic review, Holly! We’re so glad the brace has been a more comfortable and functional alternative to the boot—especially during your recovery. Wishing you continued progress as you heal!
Love this ankle brace. Lighter but still provides support. This brace gives my ankle more flex movement. Love that I can wear my normal tennis shoes.
And we love reviews like yours! Thank you, Jennifer. We’re glad you’re loving the lighter feel, added flexibility, and the ability to wear your normal shoes. That combination of support and comfort is exactly what we aim for!
I started with the gray brase, then moved on to the black brase. Use the gray brase for protection when taking part in construction work. Just started wearing the black on for walking arround. They are both great. Very satisfied.
Thank you for the awesome review, Gabriel! We’re thrilled to hear the braces are working well for your needs—whether on the job or out walking around. Appreciate you sharing how you’re using each one!