Lindsey Vonn Reveals Surgery Prevented Leg Amputation After Olympic Crash
American Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn has publicly expressed profound gratitude toward her surgeon after a critical medical procedure successfully prevented the amputation of her leg. The champion athlete sustained devastating injuries during a crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, an incident she described as the most extreme of her career.
Severe Injuries from Downhill Crash
Vonn crashed merely seconds into her downhill run on February 8, shattering her hopes for an epic comeback. In a detailed Instagram post, the 41-year-old revealed the full extent of the trauma, stating, "Everything was in pieces." She suffered a complex tibia fracture, multiple fibula fractures, and a broken right ankle. Additionally, she was diagnosed with compartment syndrome, a dangerous condition involving painful pressure buildup around muscles due to trauma.
The skier emphasized the severity, calling it "the most extreme and painful and challenging injury I've ever faced in my entire life times a hundred." Following the accident, Vonn spent nearly two weeks hospitalized, almost completely immobile and even requiring a blood transfusion.
Life-Saving Surgical Intervention
Dr. Tom Hackett performed a fasciectomy, a procedure Vonn described as essentially "filleted" her leg open. This surgery was crucial to relieve pressure and address the compartment syndrome, directly preventing amputation. "Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg," Vonn declared gratefully. "He saved my leg from being amputated."
Interestingly, Vonn noted a silver lining in a prior ACL tear she sustained days before the Olympics. "If I hadn't torn my ACL—which I would have torn anyways with this crash—Tom wouldn't have been there; he wouldn't have been able to save my leg," she explained, feeling fortunate for the timing that placed her surgeon on site.
Long Road to Recovery Ahead
Now discharged from the hospital and staying in a hotel, Vonn faces a grueling rehabilitation journey. She outlined a recovery timeline that includes progressing from a wheelchair to crutches within weeks. However, complete healing of the bones is expected to take approximately one year.
After that period, Vonn will decide whether to undergo additional surgery to remove metal implants and finally repair her torn ACL. "It will be a long road, but I'll get there," she affirmed with determination. "I'd rather go down swinging than not try at all." Despite the emotional and physical pain, she found inspiration in watching her Olympic teammates compete.
The champion skier, now sporting significant titanium hardware, humorously remarked on social media about being "bionic for real now." Her focus remains steadfast on rehabilitation and eventual return to health, marking a poignant chapter in her storied athletic career.
