Lindsey Vonn, the decorated Olympic skier, has revealed the harrowing details of her recovery after a devastating crash during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The incident, which occurred just 13 seconds into her downhill final run on February 8, resulted in a compound fracture of her leg and required five surgeries to prevent amputation. Team USA physician Tom Hackett performed a critical fasciotomy to relieve compartment syndrome, saving her leg. Vonn described the pain as 'seared into my brain' during her hospitalization in Treviso, Italy, where she nearly went 'insane' due to the intensity of her suffering.
Vonn, who initially retired in 2019, made a comeback for the Olympics but suffered a torn ACL before the Games. Despite the severity of her injuries, she has not ruled out a return to skiing. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she stated, 'I don’t like to close the door on anything,' though she acknowledged the uncertainty of her recovery. She currently spends nearly all her time in rehab, undergoing extensive physical therapy and hyperbaric chamber treatments.
The skier’s crash was exacerbated by her skis failing to release, worsening the injury. Vonn, who won an Olympic gold in 2010 and holds 84 World Cup victories, reflected on the crash as a 'horrible last run' but noted the quality of her brief performance. Her recovery remains ongoing, with no definitive decision on her future in the sport.