American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn is stable after suffering a serious leg injury at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Her surgeon has now spoken publicly after a specialist warned that the injury could, in rare cases, lead to amputation.
Vonn, 41, crashed just 13 seconds into her downhill run after striking a gate on the Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina. She was airlifted to hospital and later confirmed she had suffered a complex fracture of her left tibia.
Stefano Zanarella, a surgeon at Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, said the medical team handled a “delicate situation” with a group of specialists. He said the surgeries were successful and that the team is satisfied with her progress so far.
However, orthopedic specialist Dr Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet warned that recovery will take months. He said the injury is extremely serious and that, in some severe cases, similar fractures can result in amputation. He stressed that the priority is for Vonn to keep her leg and walk normally again.
Doctors used an external fixator to stabilize the fracture. Medical experts explained that this device is temporary and helps protect the bone while further treatment continues.
Vonn recently underwent her third surgery and told fans she is making slow but steady progress. She said she has “no regrets” about competing and described standing at the Olympic start gate as an unforgettable moment.
The Olympic champion had already suffered an ACL injury weeks before the Games but said it was not linked to the crash. While her long-term future in professional skiing remains uncertain, doctors say the immediate focus is on healing and restoring basic mobility.
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