Lindsey Vonn Prepares for Fifth Surgery After Devastating Olympic Crash
Skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has shared a nervous update on Instagram as she awaits another in a series of leg surgeries, following her brutal fall during the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old athlete posted from her hospital bed in the United States, captioning the image, "Going in for surgery. [Lot] on my mind but hoping this will be a big step forward."
Emotional Toll of Injury and Loss
Vonn's photo offers a poignant glimpse into her recovery, showing her bandaged left leg supported by an external fixation device, alongside her computer desktop displaying a picture of her recently deceased dog, Leo. Earlier that day, she posted a tribute to Leo and two other dogs, writing, "My family that's up in heaven," and revealing his passing on Wednesday morning.
"This has been an incredibly hard few days. Probably the hardest [of my] life. I still have not come to terms that he is gone," Vonn expressed alongside several photos of Leo. Her beloved pet was diagnosed with lung cancer a year-and-a-half after surviving lymphoma, and suffered a major health setback on the same day she crashed at the Olympics.
"He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind," the Olympian continued. "As I [laid] in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy. I had lost so much that meant something to me in such a short amount of time. I can't believe it."
Leo's Legacy and Vonn's Recovery Journey
Vonn adopted Leo from an animal shelter in 2014 as he recovered from a knee injury after being hit by a car, joining other dogs Lucy, who passed away last August, and Chance. "My boy has been with me since my second ACL injury, when I needed him most," Vonn added. "He held me on the sofa as I watched the Sochi Olympics. He lifted me up when I was down. He [laid] by me, and cuddled me, always making me feel safe and loved. We have been through so much together in 13 years."
She reflected on her grief, stating, "It's going to be a while before I emotionally process things but I know he will always be with me. I know he's up there with Lucy and Bear and my mom and grandparents and so many people I have lost in the past few years. [And I take solace] knowing he's not in pain anymore. There will never be another Leo. He will always be my first love. Heading in for more surgery today. Will be thinking of him when I close my eyes. I will love you forever my big boy."
Details of the Olympic Injury and Surgeries
Vonn is set to undergo her fifth surgery, and the first since returning to the US, after fracturing her complex tibia in Cortina earlier this month. The injury occurred when she tried to compete in the women's downhill with a torn ACL, lost control on the opening traverse, and was spun around in the air. Medical personnel heard her scream after the crash before she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by helicopter.
Following her fourth operation on Saturday, she was discharged from hospital on Sunday and began her journey back to the States the next day. Transporting her from the hospital to the airport, onto a plane, and directly to a hospital in the US proved challenging due to the severity of her injury.
Vonn shared videos of her arduous journey on Instagram, showing a large group of medical staff assisting her exit from Italy. She wrote, "My leg is still in pieces…but I'm finally HOME! Thankful to all of the medical staff who helped me get home, and seriously looking forward to my next surgery when I can get the X-fix out of my leg and will be able to move more."
She acknowledged the complexity of her injury, noting, "My injury was a lot more severe than just a broken leg. I'm still wrapping my head around it, what it means and the road ahead… but I'm going to give you more detail in the coming days. As always, I appreciate all the love and support."
