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American ski legend Lindsey Vonn revealed Monday that she nearly lost her left leg following her dramatic crash in the women’s downhill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics, with injuries far more severe than initially reported.
The 41-year-old Olympic champion disclosed in an Instagram post that beyond the complex tibia fracture she suffered on February 8, she developed compartment syndrome – a dangerous condition where excessive pressure builds within muscle compartments, restricting blood flow and potentially causing permanent damage if not treated promptly.
“When you have so much trauma to one area of your body so that there’s too much blood and it gets stuck and it basically crushes everything,” Vonn explained in her candid post.
The skiing star credited Dr. Tom Hackett, an orthopedic surgeon working with both Vonn and Team USA, with saving her leg through an emergency fasciotomy procedure, which releases the pressure in affected muscle compartments.
“He filleted it open and let it breathe, and he saved me,” she said.
In a remarkable twist of fate, Hackett was only present in Cortina because Vonn had decided to compete despite tearing her ACL shortly before the Olympics. “If I hadn’t had done that, Tom wouldn’t have been there and wouldn’t have been able to save my leg,” Vonn noted.
The extent of Vonn’s injuries was severe. Beyond the complex tibia fracture and compartment syndrome in her left leg, she also broke her right ankle in the crash. Vonn underwent multiple surgeries during a week-long hospital stay in Treviso, Italy, where she required blood transfusions to address critical blood loss and low hemoglobin levels.
“It has been quite the journey and by far the most extreme and painful and challenging injury I’ve ever faced in my entire life times 100,” said Vonn, who has endured numerous serious injuries throughout her storied career.
Currently confined to a wheelchair and “very much immobile,” Vonn faces a lengthy rehabilitation process. She estimates it will take approximately a year for the bones in her left leg to heal before doctors can address her torn ACL, which was unrelated to the crash itself.
“It’s going to be a long road,” Vonn acknowledged. “I always fight and we keep going.”
The accident occurred just 13 seconds into Vonn’s downhill run when she clipped a gate and veered off course. The crash came during what had been a remarkable comeback season for Vonn, who had returned to competitive skiing after a six-year retirement. Prior to the Olympics, she had been leading the World Cup downhill rankings.
Despite the devastating outcome, Vonn expressed no regrets about her comeback or decision to compete with a pre-existing knee injury.
“I wish it had ended differently, but I’d rather go down swinging than not try at all,” she said. “I think what I was able to achieve was more than anyone expected to begin with… This year was incredible and so worth everything.”
Vonn characterized her current injuries as “one blip on the radar,” though she did not address speculation about her competitive future. Her father, Alan Kildow, told The Associated Press shortly after the accident that he would like to see her retire.
With characteristic determination, Vonn remains focused on recovery. “Life is life and we have to take the punches that come,” she said. “Going to do the best I can with this one. It really knocked me down. But I’m like Rocky. I’ll just keep getting back up.”
The incident marks another challenging chapter for one of alpine skiing’s most decorated athletes. Vonn’s career has been defined not only by her extraordinary success – including Olympic gold and multiple World Cup titles – but also by her remarkable resilience in overcoming serious injuries throughout her career.
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11 Comments
This is a sobering reminder of the fine line that elite athletes walk between triumph and disaster. Vonn’s honesty in sharing the full extent of her injuries is admirable and helps raise awareness of the challenges they face. I wish her all the best in her recovery.
Vonn’s decision to compete despite her prior ACL injury was incredibly brave, but also quite risky. I’m glad the doctor who ultimately saved her leg was on-site due to that earlier incident. It’s a testament to the value of having top-notch medical support for elite athletes.
Compartment syndrome sounds like a very serious and dangerous condition. I’m glad Vonn was able to get the necessary treatment in time. Her story is a good reminder of the risks and challenges elite athletes face, even after an initial injury.
It’s remarkable that Vonn was able to avoid amputation given the severity of her injuries. The medical team deserves a lot of credit for their quick thinking and skilled treatment. I’m glad she’s on the road to recovery.
What a harrowing experience for Lindsey Vonn. I’m relieved the doctors were able to save her leg through the emergency fasciotomy procedure. Her story is a powerful reminder of the risks inherent in high-intensity sports and the importance of prompt, expert medical care.
Vonn’s willingness to be so transparent about her ordeal is commendable. It provides valuable insight into the challenges elite athletes face and the sacrifices they make. I hope her story inspires others to appreciate the dedication and resilience of top-level competitors.
Wow, that must have been an incredibly harrowing experience for Lindsey Vonn. I’m glad the emergency surgery was able to save her leg and prevent such a devastating outcome. She is truly a resilient and courageous athlete.
Vonn’s honesty in sharing the full extent of her injuries is admirable. It’s important for the public to understand the realities of high-level sports and the sacrifices athletes make. I wish her a full and speedy recovery.
Vonn’s story highlights the immense physical toll that competitive skiing can take. I’m glad the medical team was able to act quickly and save her leg from amputation. Her resilience and determination are truly inspirational.
It’s amazing that the doctor happened to be there due to Vonn’s earlier ACL injury. That was incredibly fortuitous timing that likely saved her leg. Kudos to the medical team for their quick action and expertise.
This is a sobering reminder of the thin line between triumph and tragedy in Olympic sports. Vonn’s determination to compete despite her ACL tear shows her incredible drive, but also the risks she was willing to take. I hope this doesn’t deter future generations from pursuing their dreams.