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.
For stability this brace works as or maybe better than my custom in shoe brace. The only thing it doesn't help with is my Achilles pain. Other than that it worked well while I was training my beagles in the field.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, Marc! We’re glad to hear the AthleticX Brace provided stability that matched or even exceeded your custom brace and gave you the confidence to stay active while training your beagles in the field. We appreciate your feedback about your Achilles pain as well. Thanks, again!
I had a total ankle replacement/repair 8 weeks ago, now wearing this brace as I rehab and to prevent further injury. Easy to use and very sturdy on the ankle. Highly recommend to allow healing and develop strength. Cant wait to get back to playing tennis, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball ,as well as yardwork!
Best review ever, Angie! We’re thrilled to hear the AthleticX Brace has given you the stability and confidence you need as you recover from your ankle replacement. Wishing you continued success in rehab, and we hope you’re back doing the things you love very soon!
I will soon undergo a full ankle replacement. I am currently bone on bone all the way around, as my surgeon and I discussed the procedure. I mentioned to him that I wished I could do one last hike with my son before I was down for a few months. He said he had a brace that I should try, and he had his staff bring one in for fitting. Boy, has it been a game changer. It has significantly reduced my pain and increased my confidence, especially in my turns. It provides wonderful support, and I have hiked in it comfortably. I am looking forward to that 45-mile backpacking trip with my son before I get my ankle replaced.
Thank you for the TayCo brace
Thank you for sharing your story, Paul! We’re thrilled to hear the AthleticX Brace has reduced your pain, given you more confidence on the trail, and is helping make that 45-mile backpacking trip with your son possible before surgery. We wish you an incredible hike and a smooth recovery when it’s time for your ankle replacement.
Great support and flexibility. Well constructed. Highly recommend the brace for either daily support or recovery.
Thank you for sharing, David! We’re so glad to hear the RecoverX Brace has provided the support and flexibility you were looking for. We appreciate your recommendation and are thrilled it’s helping with both daily support and recovery.
This is a fantastic brace. Easy to apply to gym shoe and adjusts quickly. I e used with both bars in and top one removed. Minimal increase in pain with increased range of motion. Highly recommend this brace for peroneal tendon recovery
Thank you for sharing your experience, Sherri! We’re so glad to hear the RecoverX Brace has been easy to use and that the adjustable support has helped you progress through your peroneal tendon recovery with minimal pain. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are grateful to be part of your recovery journey.