VAIL, Colo. — American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn revealed a harrowing detail about her recent crash at the Milan Cortina Olympics: she nearly lost her left leg. The 41-year-old Vonn, competing in the women’s downhill on , suffered a complex tibia fracture after clipping a gate and going off course, but the initial injury masked a far more dangerous condition.
In a Monday Instagram post, Vonn detailed how the trauma from the crash led to compartment syndrome, a painful and potentially devastating condition where excessive pressure builds up inside a muscle, restricting blood flow. Without swift intervention, compartment syndrome can lead to permanent muscle and nerve damage, and in severe cases, amputation.
“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 the post. The severity of the situation was only fully understood in the days following the initial injury.
Vonn credited Dr. Tom Hackett, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with both Vonn and Team USA, with saving her leg. Dr. Hackett performed a fasciotomy, an emergency surgical procedure that involves cutting open the fascia – the tissue surrounding the muscles – to relieve the pressure and restore blood flow.
“He filleted it open [and] let it breathe, and he saved me,” Vonn said, expressing profound gratitude for Dr. Hackett’s skill and timely intervention. Remarkably, Dr. Hackett was even present at the Olympics due to Vonn’s decision to compete despite tearing the ACL in her left knee shortly before the Games. “If I hadn’t have done that, Tom wouldn’t have been there [and he] wouldn’t have been able to save my leg,” she added.
The crash and subsequent complications required four operations in Italy before Vonn was able to return to the United States last week. She has since been discharged from the hospital and is now recovering in a hotel, a development she described as a “huge step” in her recovery process.
However, the road to recovery remains long. Vonn also sustained a broken right ankle in the crash and anticipates needing to use a wheelchair “for a while.” The extent of the ankle injury, and the timeline for a full recovery, remains to be seen.
Vonn’s revelation underscores the inherent risks faced by athletes competing in high-speed sports like downhill skiing. The Milano Cortina Olympics have already seen several significant injuries, highlighting the physical demands and potential for catastrophic consequences. The incident also serves as a stark reminder of the critical role of medical personnel in providing immediate and specialized care to athletes.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Vonn’s public acknowledgement of the situation and her gratitude towards Dr. Hackett have resonated with fans and fellow athletes alike. Her resilience and determination, qualities that have defined her illustrious career, are once again on display as she embarks on the challenging journey of rehabilitation.
Vonn’s career has been marked by both incredible success and significant setbacks. A three-time Olympic medalist and four-time World Cup champion, she has overcome numerous injuries throughout her career, demonstrating a remarkable ability to return to competition at the highest level. This latest challenge, however, presented a uniquely grave threat, one that she has thankfully overcome thanks to the skill of her surgeon and her own unwavering spirit.
The incident raises questions about the ongoing safety measures in downhill skiing and the protocols in place to address compartment syndrome. While the sport inherently carries risk, continued evaluation and refinement of safety standards are crucial to protecting athletes from potentially life-altering injuries. The medical team’s rapid diagnosis and treatment of Vonn’s compartment syndrome will likely be studied as a best-practice example in sports medicine.
As Vonn begins the long process of recovery, the skiing world will be watching and wishing her a full and speedy return. Her story is a testament to the courage and determination of athletes, and a reminder of the dedication of the medical professionals who work tirelessly to keep them safe.
