Onix: on your taping question. I've been getting taped at the PT-- the taping is similar to McConnel taping, to keep my patella tracking. It is super tight, and my range of motion is much more restricted than when I wear my tracking brace. So I am not sure that taping will give you more flexibility as compared to your brace (but I suppose this depends on your brace and how it fits). Taping is wayyy more comfortable than the brace from the hot and itchy perspective, and also no-profile so getting your pants over the brace is not an issue. The taping works super well for me, from a pain-relief perspective but your mileage may vary...