I can not express how much of a difference my TayCo AthleticX Brace has made in one short week!! After a trimalleoar fracture with dislocation, surgery, 4 screws, and a lengthy non-weight bearing recovery period, I am finally confident with my ankle stability and walking safely! The 3 1/2 months between my fall and finding the TayCo AthleticX brace was stressful... wondering how I would recover & rehab safely from this injury. I had minimal guidance from my doctor regarding a 'next step' brace once I could stop using the awkward & uncomfortable CAM Boot. The 'inside-the-shoe' brace options were either flimsy, poorly constructed, didn't fit, or did nothing to support the joint or boost my confidence so that I could safely rehab & recover as winter approached.
Then one night, there they were.... The TayCo AthleticX and the RecoverX. I went back & forth about which to order, and Kelly was amazing answering my various questions regarding fit, as well as ensuring my order arrived in advance of my next ortho appointment! I chose the AthleticX because of the fit details (height of side uprights were a better fit for me. As soon as I put the brace on, I knew it was different, and the perfect solution to ensure a great recovery!
The stirrup strap was easy to set/adjust and it fits very securely along the bottom of several pairs of shoes. The series of 3 straps are perfectly placed, providing great support and easy adjustability should my foot swell during/after PT or activity. The strap lengths are AMAZING! This has been a huge sticking point for me as I was 'blessed' with generous ankles & calves.... LOL! The strap across the top of the foot has plenty of room to adjust for many different shoes, or snow boots, and the 2 ankle straps are more than sufficient for a comfortable and supportive fit! And Kelly made sure I knew that the longer straps from the RecoverX brace could always be substituted should the original ones not fit.
My physical therapist, doctor, chiropractor, and even a brace/prosthetics specialist were all impressed with the design and the support. I have made amazing strides in physical therapy since starting to use the AthletcX, and my physical therapist is more than happy with the support, and confidence, this brace has given me. My chiropractor is thrilled to see me out of the boot and into a brace which allows for proper alignment in my hips, low back, knees, and encourages a natural gait. He's even looking into getting one for himself! While my ankle is still regaining strength, flexibility, and mobility, and there is still pain, I am overall feeling so much better, both physically and mentally! My body no longer aches because of awkward gait & misalignment. My confidence when walking, even with winter weather, is 100% because of the support from the AthleticX. And because my body is doing better and I'm able to do more, my mental health is so much better!!
A complex ankle fracture takes a toll on your mind and soul. It impacts every aspect of your life... and can stretch your patience, determination, and confidence. Any bit of independence you can reclaim, no matter how small, makes a huge difference in your recovery. And having the RecoverX on my ankle has been the biggest difference!
Thank you so much TayCo Brace!!!
