When a former MLB pro like Jeremy Barfield talks about injury and recovery, he is speaking from experience. Sixteen surgeries. Years in the minors. A mindset shaped by watching his father and brother thrive in Major League Baseball. In this candid conversation with Nicholas Strasser, MD, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at Vanderbilt Health, Jeremy (a content creator known as FlankThomas) shares a year-long fight with a right-ankle injury, the choice to have surgery, and why the TayCo AthleticX Brace helped him get back to the things he loves.
From Baseball Family to Real-World Dad Mode
Baseball runs deep in the Barfield family. Jeremy’s great-uncle played in the Negro Leagues with Satchel Paige. His father spent 12 years in the big leagues. His brother now works in a front office. Jeremy carved out an 11-season career, learning how to keep moving when the schedule does not stop.
His first knee surgery came at 13. Over time, he learned to separate identity from setbacks. “It made me stronger. Not always physically, but mentally.”
The Injury That Would Not Quiet Down
A basketball rebound turned into a total inversion sprain. Jeremy heard the “snap-crackle-pop” every athlete dreads. He tried physical therapy and a stack of in-shoe braces. The pain kept waking him at 4 a.m. That was his cue to re-evaluate.
Imaging suggested peroneal tendon damage. In surgery, the physician found an accessory peroneal muscle crowding the space, something an MRI can miss. A large debridement created room for the tendons to glide.
Why a Different Kind of Brace Helped
Before surgery, Jeremy discovered TayCo Brace after exhausting traditional options.
- Support outside the shoe. No squeezing or hot spots, with real stability for walking and daily activity.
- Serious structure. Built for dynamic movement and planting.
- Daily life first. “I just wanted to be a dad again,” he says. With the injury on his right side, driving in a walking boot was not possible. The brace helped him return to school drop-offs sooner, with his doctor’s guidance.
Post-op, he spent a few days in a boot, then transitioned to the TayCo RecoverX Brace. About two to three weeks after surgery, and under his care team’s direction, he moved back into his preferred TayCo AthleticX Brace. That earlier mobility supported both rehab and normal life.
Always follow your physician’s protocol for weight-bearing and device use. Individual timelines vary.
How He Decides When to Push
Years of rehab taught Jeremy to read his body’s signals.
- Muscle work vs. joint pain. Shaking glutes during an exercise can be fine. “Grinding” in a joint is a warning sign.
- Productive discomfort vs. problematic pain. Some discomfort is part of progress. Lingering joint pain the next day often means you went too far.
- Modify instead of muscling through. Change angles, loads, or tempos to keep progress without flare-ups.
Dr. Strasser notes a timing truth that many athletes know. Sometimes earlier surgery in an off-season protects both the rehab window and the later performance window.
Advice for Active People in Their 30s and 40s
- Have an orthopedic home base. Know who you will call before you need them.
- Listen to your body. New pain patterns or nighttime pain deserve attention.
- Train for life. Use yoga, smart cardio, and functional strength. Keep weight in a range that is kind to your joints.
- Check the ego. You are not 20, and that is okay. The goal is to stay active with family for the long term.
Who Might Benefit From an Outside-the-Shoe Brace?
- People with ankle instability who need real support without cramming a sore ankle into a tight sleeve.
- Anyone cleared by a clinician to leave the boot and use stable, mobile protection that fits regular footwear.
- Post-op patients whose surgeons allow controlled motion early in recovery.
Explore the TayCo AthleticX Brace for everyday stability and the TayCo RecoverX Brace for post-injury or post-op phases. Both are designed to help you move with confidence while you work with your care team.
Final Word
Jeremy’s mantra says it well: You are not your injuries. With the right medical plan, smart training, and equipment that supports real life, you can keep moving toward the life you want, from school drop-offs to weekend hoops.
Talk with your orthopedic provider to see if a TayCo Brace is appropriate for your situation and when to transition devices during recovery.
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