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 was skeptical about ordering this brace as my ankle is bone on bone vs recovering from an injury. It is more comfortable than I thought it would be and reduces the pain and grinding I experience especially with lateral movement. I have used it for kickboxing classes along with barre classes and weight lifting. I have not yet worn it for outside walks. Need to get some regular athletic socks vs no show socks. It fits nicely over my sport/tennis shoes. This brace will help keep me active until I get an ankle replacement after ski season. FYI the elastic brace I was wearing and the lace up I attempted to wear create awful pressure points inside my shoes. I plan to share this info with my podiatrist as well as my orthopedic surgeon. Thank you for a great product. So glad I found you!
Thank you, Lynn! Kickboxing, barre, weight lifting and hopefully skiing next. We love hearing how the AthleticX Brace is helping you stay active and comfortable while you navigate what’s next for your ankle. Thanks for sharing your experience and for spreading the word with your care team! We appreciate you.
I have right foot drop. I can't wear traditional AFOs because I have hypertension in my knees. Regular AFOs kick my knees back, I cannot walk.
I thought this brace might work and it does!
It limits my ankle movement enough to keep my foot from flopping.
I'm thrilled I can wear it with the shoes I wear most.
What a great example of finding a solution that works for your unique needs! We’re glad the AthleticX Brace has given you the support you were looking for, even outside its intended use, and that you can wear it with the shoes you already love. Thanks for sharing your experience, LynnAnn!
I’ve purchased this brace in the past . My son is a 6ft 1inch and 270 lbs football player and he has flat feet with no support on right . He normally gets his ankled rolled every season but since I purchased brace he has not had a problem. Definitely better than getting taped. He said he was making a tackle and someone landed on ankle if not for brace he believes his ankle might have broken . Instead of missing season he was out one play to check brace.
One play instead of potentially missing the season. Those are the moments that matter! Thank you for sharing your son's story, Ronald! We’re glad the AthleticX Brace has given your son the support and confidence to keep competing season after season. Thanks for trusting TayCo Brace when it counts!
After having a torn Achilles tendon and trying numerous braces I finally found the one! It has given me back the ability to play pickleball again. The ease of over the shoe wearing along with the support of a lightweight brace is key for active recovery. I would highly recommend to anyone needing, but questioning which one.
Thank you, Debbie! Back on the pickleball court is exactly where we love to see you. It’s great to hear the AthleticX Brace delivered the lightweight support and confidence you needed to get active again. Thanks for the recommendation!