Bill Walton is a man of many hats: NBA legend, broadcaster, father, and friend. Some know him for his political activism or his unwavering dedication to the Grateful Dead, having attended over 1,000 of their shows. Nowadays, Bill's fervent support is directed towards a different cause: the medical technology community.
As a patient ambassador, Bill regularly meets with patients, doctors, hospitals, government officials, and industry leaders to raise awareness about innovative advancements in treating chronic pain. After decades of debilitating back pain, Bill found what he calls “a miracle in medtech.”
“Now that I have my life back, thanks to the sacrifices of others, I have a responsibility to pay it forward,” Bill said. “I want to do everything I can to help those suffering the way I did.”
A Basketball Career Cut Short
At 6’11,” Bill has often heard, “You must be a basketball player.” And he wasn't just any player; he was one of the greatest. Leading the UCLA Bruins to two consecutive NCAA championships and an 88-game winning streak, Bill is a member of the NCAA All Time Basketball Team. In the NBA, he won two championships, two MVP awards, and a Sixth Man Award, earning his place in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
However, Bill's professional success was marred by injuries. During his 14 years in the NBA, he missed more games (680) than he played (488) due to a series of injuries that eventually sidelined him for good.
“My injuries piled up,” Bill said. “Bad back, broken bones, ankle and foot problems, broken hands and wrists, knee injuries, and broken noses.” With 38 orthopedic surgeries to his name, Bill's chronic pain became unbearable.
“While my heart was still willing, my body no longer worked,” Bill said. “I couldn’t run. I had to stop playing the game that was my religion and life.”
Despite these setbacks, Bill found a new calling as a television broadcaster and commentator, his unconventional style adding fun to the industry. “As a lifelong stutterer, learning to speak is my greatest accomplishment in life. And your worst nightmare,” Bill joked.
But his broadcasting career was also threatened by his chronic pain. “The constant travel took a tremendous toll on my already broken body,” he said. “One day in early 2008, after 18 years of chasing that dream, I was getting off yet another flight when I literally couldn’t move anymore.”
Bill tried countless treatments to ease his pain, but nothing worked. “I tried everything: acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, alternative medicine, meditation, massage, yoga, physical therapy, medication, injections…EVERYTHING,” he said.
As his pain worsened, Bill contemplated suicide. “Although I had a great family and wonderful friends, my life was so limited, so painful, so empty, I was ready to end it,” he said.
A Life-Changing Surgery
Just as Bill was ready to give up, he found hope in an innovative spine surgery. His friend and broadcasting colleague Jim Gray, after extensive research, found Dr. Steve Garfin at UCSD. The minimally invasive surgery, performed through the side of the body, allowed the surgeon to avoid major nerves and muscles, reducing risk and recovery time.
Dr. Garfin repositioned several of Bill’s vertebrae and fused some lumbar vertebrae. “I had the most serious, complicated surgery of my life,” Bill said. “This was, by far, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
Recovery was slow, but Bill’s wife Lori chronicled his milestones with encouraging Post-it notes. Gradually, Bill saw progress, and about eight months after surgery, he realized his pain was gone. “For the first time in years, I knew that I was going to get better,” he said.
Today, Bill is pain-free and medication-free. “I’m healthier than I’ve been since high school, and I’m busier and happier than I’ve ever been. It’s a miracle.”
Paying It Forward
Now, Bill is dedicated to helping others find the same relief. “That’s why I’m here today, because this works,” he said. “I want to do everything that I can to help those suffering the way I did.”
Bill leads an active life, swimming, lifting weights, and biking daily. He serves on business boards, supports numerous charitable initiatives, and is back to broadcasting and speaking. “When I was finally able to ride my bike freely again, I knew I had made it all the way back,” he said.
Bill also spends hours each day helping others with chronic pain. “Dealing with desperate patients is tough. But the satisfaction I get when they emerge from their depression is the greatest feeling in the world,” he said.
Beyond individual support, Bill advocates for better healthcare legislation. “We need better public and social policies to take care of people when things go wrong,” he said.
Bill Walton’s journey from basketball legend to medical technology advocate is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of innovation. Read more about Bill’s experience and his advocacy for medical technology.
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