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.
Much smaller than a walking boot, this brace allows the comfort and convenient of wearing regular shoes, yet still achieving the fixed 90 degree angulation needed for healing. In addition, it can be adjusted to allow limited movement for transitioning into full articulation. (Great for driving, whereas a standard walking boot may be too wide to hit the brake pedal without also simultaneously pressing the accelerator.
I had a classic walking boot for a fractured ankle, and developed SERIOUS sciattica from being off kilter with the boot too high. The walking boot was so very uncomfortable, I was in complete agony. The Tayco over the shoe brace provided some relief. I wore the regular boot for 7 weeks before getting the Tayco, not sure if the Tayco would have provided enough support the first couple of weeks, but it seems to do the trick for this stage of my recovery. I'm 57 so I heal a little slower than younger people, 10-12 weeks. Anyway, Tayco was a life saver! I still have sciattica but it is getting much better wearing an even brace with my other foot.
Thank you for sharing your story, Stacey! We're so glad the RecoverX Brace provided some much-needed relief during your recovery. We hear so often how traditional walking boots can throw everything out of balance, and it means a lot to know our over-the-shoe design helped you feel more supported and aligned.
Broke my foot 8 weeks ago and was in a boot. In the 7th week I began using the TayCo Brace and was able to participate in athletics again. The brace gave me the confidence that my ankle would remain stable.
Thank you for sharing your story, Shane! We’re glad to hear the AthleticX Brace gave you the support and confidence to return to athletics after your injury. Wishing you continued strength and a full recovery as you get back to doing what you love! 💪
Thank you, Jimmy! We'll reach back out in a few weeks to see if we've earned 5 stars. In the meantime, don't hesitate to let us know if there's any support we can provide.