American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has revealed she will undergo a fourth surgical procedure on her broken left leg this Saturday, following a devastating crash during the Olympic downhill race at the Milan Cortina Games. In a heartfelt video message posted on Instagram from an Italian hospital in Treviso, Vonn expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans while outlining her challenging recovery journey.
Vonn's Emotional Update from Hospital
On Friday, Vonn shared a candid update with her followers, detailing the aftermath of the horrific incident that occurred during Sunday's competition. "Hey guys, I just wanted to give you a little update and say thank you so much to everyone that has been sending me flowers and letters," Vonn said in the video. She mentioned receiving numerous gifts, including stuffed animals and a shark pillow that provided comfort during her hospital stay. "It's just been so amazing and really helped me a lot," she added, emphasizing the emotional boost from the outpouring of kindness.
Long Road to Recovery Ahead
Vonn described the past few days as "quite hard" but noted she is starting to feel more like herself. However, she cautioned that there is still a "long, long way to go" in her rehabilitation. The upcoming surgery on Saturday is critical, as its success could potentially allow her to leave the Italian hospital and return home to the United States. "Hopefully that goes well and then I can potentially leave and go back home, at which point I will need another surgery," Vonn explained. She admitted that the specifics of the subsequent procedure remain unclear until further medical imaging is conducted.
Details of the Crash and Injuries
The 41-year-old skiing champion crashed just 13 seconds into her Olympic downhill run, resulting in a severe injury that required her to be airlifted off the course by helicopter. In a statement released late Monday, Vonn disclosed she had suffered a "complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly." This announcement came after she had already undergone a third surgery on Wednesday, which she described as "successful."
Adding to the adversity, Vonn had ruptured the ACL in her left knee in another crash just nine days before the Olympic incident. This series of setbacks has marred what was anticipated to be a feelgood comeback story for Vonn, who returned to competition after nearly six years of retirement, with high expectations leading into the Games.
Support System and Positive Outlook
Despite being "very much immobile," Vonn expressed gratitude for the constant presence of friends and family who have visited her in the hospital. "I feel very lucky and fortunate to have so many people around me that have really helped me get through this," she said. In her message, she also cheered on Team USA, stating that watching their performances has "really lifted my spirits." She concluded with encouragement: "Good job, team, and keep crushing it. I'll check in with you guys when I can."
In a lighter note, Vonn pointed out a bruise under her eye in her post, humorously adding, "Almost gone though!" as she continues to navigate this difficult period with resilience and optimism.
