Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - April 27, 2005
Ross McKeon, rmckeon@sfchronicle.com.
When a couple of years later, he was told again by a medical professional his skating career was over because of a degenerative bone disease affecting both hips, he couldn't accept it.
"It was devastating," Galindo said. "I remember thinking, 'Oh, this is nice.' The doctor said my career was over, just like that. That there was nothing I could do."
Galindo, now 35, distinctly remembers every detail of the injury. It was nearing the end of an aggressive 100-city tour and Galindo was noticing more and more pain during his performances. One night, it happened. He heard a pop and he collapsed.
"There were 10,000 people in attendance screaming, but I could still hear it pop," said Galindo.
Galindo might have been deeply wounded, but those around him -- especially his sister, Laura Galindo-Black -- were not ready to accept the doctor's dire forecast that easily. Galindo-Black started reading about the disease -- Avascular Necrosis (AVN), which forced ex-Raiders running back Bo Jackson to retire from football.
Galindo-Black discovered there was a possible new treatment on the horizon, a procedure to use a ceramic-on-ceramic hip replacement that still needed approval from the Food and Drug Administration. If only her brother could deal with the pain a little longer and be convinced to try the procedure once it was approved.
"She wouldn't give up," Galindo said about his sister, who also serves as his coach. "She just said to me, 'This is not the end of your career.' "
And it wasn't.
Apprehensive of the surgery, Galindo received a new right hip joint in September 2003, more than a year after the diagnosis and seven months after the procedure was FDA approved. His recovery was rapid, so six weeks later, he had the left hip replaced with the same procedure. Physical therapy and training followed.
Five months later, the five-time national champion (twice in singles, three times in pairs with Kristi Yamaguchi) was back on the practice ice in Reno -- his new home after moving from San Jose -- doing simple crossovers that had prior to the surgeries caused him excruciating pain. No longer, however.
In addition to two new hips, Galindo acquired a deep sense of perspective.
"I realized I had taken skating for granted," he said. "Not anymore. I really appreciate it."
Galindo is not only back on the ice, but back again in the Bay Area to perform. Touring with Champions on Ice, Galindo will appear at HP Pavilion at 3 p.m. Saturday to perform with world and national skating champions.
"It's always a welcoming-home party," said Galindo, a South Bay native who won the 1996 U.S. championship in San Jose. "It's always a special time in my life visiting, knowing that's where I won the national championship.
"I've been back 15 times already, but every time they announce my name, I can't believe all of the applause. They never forget and that means so much to me."
What also means so much to Galindo is being told by fans what an inspiration he is.
"It's nice to hear when people come up and say I give them hope," he said.
Once told by an agent his pro career would last probably only a year or so, Galindo is in his 10th year skating professionally. Besides participating in the 23-city Champions on Ice tour, Galindo has headlined at Caesars in Las Vegas, participated in other ice shows and continued a strenuous training regiment.
He does look forward to the day his contract commitments end, and he can choose other challenges.
"I would really like to do more coaching here and there," Galindo said. "People keep coming up to Reno to get their programs choreographed by me. I enjoy that.
"And I love teaching kids." Ice show
Who: Michelle Kwan, Irina Slutskaya, Sasha Cohen, Elvis Stojko, Victor Petrenko and Rudy Galindo, among others
What: "Champions on Ice"
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: HP Pavilion
Tickets: $15-$95 through Ticketmaster or at box office
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