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.
I have two Tayco ankle braces - the sport model and the rehab model. The rehab model provides more support, but the sport model is easier to wear. However, both braces are not able to correct for pronation or supination problems. Have you ever considered inserts to help with this? Thank you! William Root
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, William! We also appreciate the feedback and our customer service team will follow-up with ideas to help provide you greater support.
I bought this for my wife who broke her ankle and was in a boot. The change to the TayCo athletic brace has given her a whole new outlook. With crutches she is re-learning how to walk. Wearing her own sneakers is a huge game changer. Thank you.
We’re so glad to hear this has been such a confidence booster for your wife. Being able to transition out of the boot and back into her own shoes is a big step, and we’re thrilled the AthleticX Brace has made such a difference in her recovery. Thank you for sharing her story, Olaf! Wishing her the best.
Thought it might be heavy & cumbersome, but was surprisingly light & comfortable, but still offered support. Would recommend for light injuries or recovery
Thank you, Mia! We’re glad to hear the brace felt lighter and more comfortable than expected while still providing the support you needed. We appreciate your recommendation and wish you continued progress in your recovery!