Link
http://www.rudy-galindo.com/more1.htm
Rudy's hip problem was diagnosed in summer, 2002, as
Avascular Necrosis (AVN). The name of the condition describes
it--death of the bone (head of the femur) due to lack of
circulation. Rudy skated with the deteriorating condition for
over a year, completing the long 2002 Olympic Tour, the Elvis
Tour in Canada in the Fall, the 2003 Champions On Ice (25th
Anniversary) Winter Tour, and the abbreviated Summer Tour
through early June. During the latter the hip became
increasingly painful, excruciatingly so a short time after the
Tour's completion. (The head of the femur in the left hip was
fractured and held together only by the hip socket.)
By this time, Rudy had accepted the fact that total hip
replacement (THR) was his best option and that he needed to have
both hips replaced. Laura had become aware of the ceramic on
ceramic technique of total hip replacement that was FDA approved
in February of 2003. Use of this product and technique has given
hope to young and active people needing hip replacement. They
now have the prospect of living lives requiring very little
change in their regular activities. This includes athletes.
These hip implants wear significantly better and longer, have a
decreased chance of dislocation by permitting an optimal range
of motion, and are less apt to be affected by osteolytic wear.
Fortunately, the Galindos were able to find a surgeon in Reno
who was experienced with the ceramic on ceramic technique and
who shared their optimism about Rudy's ability to continue to
skate with artificial hips. Dr. Eric Boyden first operated on
Rudy's left hip on September 19, 2003. Six weeks later, on
October 30, he operated on the right hip. Rudy started physical
therapy immediately after the first surgery, and was on the ice
a few weeks later. He worked hours each day afterward on and off
the ice to get into the condition that allowed him to be ready
to skate in the 2004 Champions on Ice Tours that began April 3.
He got back the triple jumps he was performing before AVN (flip,
loop, toe, and salchow, as well as double axels), and can do his
shotgun spin. He finished Tour 1 and Tour 2 without missing a
performance and pain free. He had no ill effects from performing
day in and day out. (In Tour 2, he did two programs, in addition
to the introduction and long finale.)
Rudy started out 2005 with several skating in some Broadway on
Ice shows in Florida and Georgia, will be doing Detroit's Winter
Blast and Bensenville, Illinois' Dreams On Ice, also in
conjunction with a Winter celebration, and will participate in
the first annual First Annual Gala of Figure Skating In Harlem,
a not-for-profit organization established in 1997 "to provide
exciting new educational, cultural and athletic opportunities
for girls in the Harlem community through the unique discipline
and art of figure skating." After that, he will do the 2005
Champions On Ice Tour. The hips are holding up very well!
Rudy hasn't competed since the end of 2002 due to his hip
problems and ensuing double total hip replacement surgery. Since
his surgery and rehabilitation, he has become much at ease with
his hip implants, works very hard at staying in shape and
keeping up his skating skills, and would very much enjoy
competing again should the opportunity arise. He has maintained
the four triple jumps he regularly performed in competition as
much as most of his flexibility.
