Lindsey Vonn has made a shocking revelation about the severe aftermath of her crash during the 2026 Winter Olympics, stating she came perilously close to having her leg amputated. The 41-year-old skiing legend suffered a complex tibia fracture in her left leg in the accident, which occurred during the Olympic downhill event earlier this month.
Compartment Syndrome Threatens Limb
In a detailed Instagram post on Monday, Vonn explained that the crash led to compartment syndrome in her leg, a dangerous condition where excessive pressure around muscles restricts blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients. According to medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic, this syndrome can cause permanent damage and is extremely painful, often resulting from traumatic injuries such as falls or car crashes.
"When you have so much trauma to one area of your body that there's too much blood and it gets stuck, it basically crushes everything," Vonn described in her post. She underwent multiple surgeries in Italy before being flown back to the United States for further treatment last week.
Surgeon's Timely Intervention
Vonn credits Dr. Tom Hackett, an orthopedic surgeon who works with her and Team USA, with saving her leg from amputation. "He filleted it open and let it breathe, and he saved me," she said. Remarkably, Hackett was in Italy only because he was monitoring Vonn after she tore her ACL in the run-up to the Olympics. "If I hadn't done that, Tom wouldn't have been there and he wouldn't have been able to save my leg," Vonn added, highlighting the fortunate timing of his presence.
Recovery Progress and Reflections
Vonn has now left the hospital for the first time since the crash, moving to a hotel after nearly two weeks of immobility. "After almost 2 weeks of laying in a hospital bed almost completely immobile, I'm finally well enough to move to a hotel. It's not home yet, but it's a huge step!" she wrote. In addition to the compartment syndrome, she also broke her ankle in the crash.
Despite the severe injuries, Vonn expressed no regrets about competing at the Olympics. In another Instagram post, she stated, "I showed up and did what most thought was impossible at my age with a partial knee replacement. These memories I'll have forever and I'm grateful for every one of them. Every moment was amazing. Every moment was worth it."
Broader Context of the Incident
This incident marks a violent but honest ending to Vonn's unprecedented Olympic bid, coming out of retirement to compete at the 2026 Games. Her openness about the near-amputation sheds light on the extreme risks athletes face in winter sports, particularly in high-speed events like downhill skiing. The story underscores the critical role of medical teams in sports, with Vonn's case serving as a testament to the importance of immediate and expert intervention in traumatic injuries.
