CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn has undergone a third surgery, calling it “successful” and giving a promising update on her recovery.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, February 11, Vonn said she was making progress, albeit slowly. She has attached three photos, one of which shows her injured left leg being fitted with a scary-looking device that appears to be intended to stabilize it. There also appear to be suture marks on the leg below the knee.
Vonn fell during an Olympic downhill run on Sunday, February 6, and suffered a compound fracture of the tibia in her left leg.
“I had my third surgery today and it was a success. Today’s success has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago,” Vonn wrote. “I’m making progress and I know it’s going to be okay, albeit slowly.”
Despite the situation, Bon seems to be in good spirits. In one photo of the tranquilizer, she smiles and gives a thumbs up, while in another she laughs and talks with members of the medical team at Terviso’s Cafoncello hospital.
Vonn said she is grateful to the “incredible” medical staff, friends and family who have been with her over the past four days. She called the outpouring of support from people around the world “beautiful” and posted photos of multiple bouquets and flower arrangements.
She also thanked her U.S. Olympic teammates for “inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
Despite being hospitalized, Vonn was clearly monitoring the Olympic results. Shortly after the event ended, she took to her Instagram Story to congratulate Jackie Wiles and Paula Molzan on their bronze medals in the team combined on Tuesday, February 10th, and Ryan Cochran-Seigle’s silver medals in the super-G on Wednesday, February 11th.
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 faded into 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 Monday, Vonn shared the shocking news that she suffered a compound tibia fracture that required multiple surgeries.
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 the fracture of multiple bones 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 on the downhill course today and told an NBC reporter during a live broadcast:
“That was definitely something we didn’t want to see happen and it happened so fast. When something like that happens, you just hope she’s okay right away. And then when you start seeing the stretcher being taken out, it was scary because that’s not a good sign,” Kildow said. “But she really…she was very brave 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 suffers anterior cruciate ligament tear
It was the second time in recent weeks that Vonn had left the summit by helicopter. On January 30, she suffered a complete rupture of her left anterior cruciate ligament, a torn meniscus, and bone bruises in a downhill accident during her 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.
