I can touch the knee (and surrounding areas) more now than I could in the past...depending on how it feels at the moment. That's a tolerate though but it's not exactly comfortable. That part has always perplexed me because a hinged knee brace has always felt better ever since the fracture, atleast for awhile (it becomes too cumbersome and bothers the skin after 3-4 hrs) but it helps PAIN while having to be mobile! There was a time when I couldn't tolerate the slightest movement, touch, or any clothing around the leg at all. Shaving was a problem! It still gets pretty raw espec with flare-ups though but the SCS and desensitization at PT has helped to a point. When the SCS is off, it's awful!!