Lindsey Vonn To Return To U.S. For More Surgeries After Olympic Crash
Vonn, 41, has had four surgeries in Treviso for a complex tibia fracture from her Feb. 8 Olympic downhill crash and expects at least two more procedures.
Overview
Sophie Goldschmidt said on Sunday the U.S. Ski Team plans to accompany Lindsey Vonn back to the United States for further surgeries after multiple operations in Italy.
Vonn crashed 13 seconds into the women's Olympic downhill on Feb. 8, suffering a complex tibia fracture after racing with a ruptured left ACL sustained on Jan. 30, she wrote on Instagram.
Lead surgeon Stefano Zanarella described Vonn's injury as "complicated, delicate, and ongoing" and warned similar injuries can end in amputation.
Vonn, 41, has undergone four surgeries at a Treviso hospital and said she expects at least two more procedures.
Orthopedic specialist Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet said recovery from Vonn's injury could take months.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Vonn’s crash as a heroic, risk-accepting drama: editorial wording like “terrifying” and “horrific” plus prominent placement of celebratory material (Vonn’s “no regrets,” and officials calling her a “role model”/“superhuman”) foreground bravery and resilience while downplaying broader safety or policy scrutiny.
Sources (9)
FAQ
Lindsey Vonn crashed 13 seconds into the women's Olympic downhill on Feb. 8 at the Milano Cortina Olympics, suffering a complex tibia fracture after racing with a ruptured left ACL from Jan. 30.
Vonn, 41, has undergone four surgeries in Treviso, Italy, for her complex tibia fracture and expects at least two more procedures upon returning to the U.S.
Orthopedic specialists indicate recovery from her displaced tibia fracture could take 8-11 months to return to ski slopes if no complications, potentially up to a year for elite racing.
Her age of 41, mental resilience, potential issues with her prior right knee prosthesis, risk of arthritis, and complications from the complex fracture are key factors.
Lead surgeon described it as 'complicated, delicate, and ongoing,' with risks including amputation in similar cases; it's a displaced tibial plateau fracture requiring plates, screws, and extensive rehab.
History
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