Fans react to Lindsey Vonn’s fall at the Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn crashed about 13 seconds after starting the downhill and had to be airlifted from the Olimpia della Tofane course.
Lindsey Vonn has revealed that she may have lost her leg after falling downhill at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
In an Instagram post on Monday, February 23, Vonn detailed the injury, which is far more extensive than originally known. In addition to a complex tibial fracture in his left leg, Vonn said he also had a tibial plateau fracture and a fibular head fracture. His right ankle was also fractured.
Vonn also has compartment syndrome, which she said poses her biggest threat.
“Compartment syndrome is a condition where there’s a major trauma to one part of the body and there’s so much blood that it gets clogged and basically crushes everything in the compartment. Muscles, nerves, tendons, everything dies. And Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg. He saved my leg from amputation,” Dr. Bonn said.
Compartment syndrome occurs when excessive pressure builds up within the muscles due to bleeding and swelling. The pressure restricts blood flow and can lead to permanent damage if not treated quickly.
Vonn said her longtime orthopedic surgeon, Hackett, was in Cortina to watch her compete in her fifth Olympics. When she was hospitalized in Italy, he performed a fasciotomy to save her leg.
“He cut it open (and) let it breathe, and he saved me,” she said.
Bon also announced that he had been discharged from the hospital.
She was hospitalized in Italy for just over a week before being transferred to a hospital in Colorado. She has undergone five surgeries since the Feb. 8 accident, including one last week after returning to the United States that lasted more than six hours.
Vonn said he is focused on rehabilitation and hopes to be back on crutches within the next few weeks. She said she will likely be on crutches for about two months, but it will take longer to fully heal.
“It will take about a year for all the bones to heal. Then we will decide whether to remove all the metal and then go back for surgery and ultimately repair the anterior cruciate ligament,” Bonn said.
Bong said all the surgeries caused extreme pain and required blood transfusions. She said Team USA’s performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics brought joy during this difficult time.
“It was really tough…I never wanted the Olympics to end this way,” Vonn said. “But it was really inspiring to watch my teammates. They were all really great, and it was really encouraging to see Team USA dominate.”
“I’ll always fight. I’ll keep going. I have no regrets. And I appreciate all the love and support. It’s been amazing.”
What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Bong hooked the fourth gate with his right arm and spun into the hard-packed snow. She fell several times before stopping.
“Things happen so fast in this sport,” American teammate Vera Wright said after the race. “Lindsay seemed to have incredible speed coming out of that turn and ended up catching her arm.”
The three-time Olympic medalist remained face down in the snow and screams of pain could be heard. Fans’ gasps and groans died down to a shocked silence as medical workers treated her. Vonn remained on course for approximately 13 minutes before being loaded onto a helicopter.
What is Lindsey Vonn’s injury?
In an Instagram post on February 9, Vonn shared the shocking news that she had suffered a compound fracture of her tibia and would need multiple surgeries. The 41-year-old updated her fans on February 11 after undergoing her third surgery in Italy, including some scary photos showing her progress. Vonn, who returned to the United States on February 17, said her injuries were “much more serious than just a broken leg.”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around what that means and what’s next,” Vonn wrote. “But we will provide further details in the coming days.”
A tibia fracture is a fracture of the shin bone that requires urgent treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “The tibia is some of the strongest bones in the body, and it typically takes significant force to break it.” “If you fracture your shin bone, you probably won’t be able to stand, walk, or put any weight on your foot.”
According to Yale Medicine, a compound fracture involves multiple fractures of the bone and damaged soft tissue. Symptoms include extreme pain, numbness, and in some cases, bones may protrude through the skin. Treatment includes stabilization and surgery.
Lindsey Vonn Accident Video
NBC broadcast the Olympics and posted footage of Vonn’s collision.
USA TODAY Sports’ Samantha Cardona-Norberg provides commentary in the aftermath of Lindsday Vonn’s crash.
Fans fell silent as soon as Vonn crashed, reacting with shock and sadness, then cheering as a helicopter hoisted her into the sky. USA TODAY Sports spoke to some fans after the accident.
Is Lindsey Vonn okay?
After the crash, Vonn was clearly in pain but was able to move her arms, head and neck.
Approximately 18 minutes after the crash, the helicopter slowly began its flight towards Cortina. “Let’s hear from Lindsey Vonn!” the American announcer said as the helicopter flew away with her, and the crowd cheered and applauded.
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, was at today’s downhill course and spoke to NBC reporters during the live broadcast. “That was definitely something that we didn’t want to see happen. It happened so fast, and then you just hope she’s okay right away. And then when you start seeing the stretcher being brought out, it’s scary because that’s not a good sign,” Kildow said. “But she really…she was very bold and gave it her all. So it’s really hard to tell, but we really hope she’s okay.”
“She has all her surgeons and PT staff here, as well as her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll see her wherever she is at the hospital.”
Lindsey Vonn tore her anterior cruciate ligament
It was the second time in recent weeks that Vonn had left the summit by helicopter. She suffered a complete rupture of her left anterior cruciate ligament, a torn meniscus and bone contusions in a downhill accident on January 30, the last World Cup event before the start of the Olympics.
Vonn has had her right knee partially replaced and is also skiing. She was dominating the sport even before her accident, finishing on the podium in all five downhill races this season and winning two of them.
Despite her recent injury, Vonn was determined to compete in her fifth and final Olympics. She said her knee feels stable and strong and has been doing intensive rehabilitation, pool training, weightlifting and plyometrics over the last week. She skied both training runs and had the third fastest time on the second run before it was canceled due to fog and snow.
Vonn, 41, skied in her fifth Winter Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2026). She won three medals at the Olympics (1 gold, 2 bronze).
