Lindsey Vonn shared a video on February 23 revealing she was finally out of the hospital two weeks after sustaining a complex tibia fracture in a crash at the Olympics. (Photo Credit: Lindsey Vonn / Facebook)
Lindsey Vonn Was Seriously Injured In A Crash At The Winter Olympics
U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn has finally left the hospital two weeks after her horrific crash at the Olympics in Italy.
Vonn was only a few seconds into her run during the women’s downhill race on Sunday, February 8, when her right arm hooked the inside of a gate. She crashed and tumbled headfirst into the snow.
Vonn could be heard crying out in pain as medical personnel rushed to her side. She was airlifted off the mountain and taken to the hospital for treatment.
RELATED: LINDSEY VONN’S DAD BELIEVES HER SKIING CAREER SHOULD END AFTER OLYMPIC CRASH
41-year-old Vonn sustained a complex tibia fracture. She kept her followers updated after the crash as she underwent multiple surgeries to stabilize her injury.
On February 16, Vonn shared that she had finally returned to the United States. The homecoming was bittersweet, as Vonn shared that her beloved dog, Leo, had passed away while she had been in the hospital in Italy.
Upon her return to the U.S., Vonn underwent a six-hour surgery to further stabilize her leg. After that surgery, Vonn shared photos of X-rays showcasing all of the hardware now inside her leg.
Lindsey Vonn Explains The Severity Of Her “Extreme” Injury, Says She Could Have Lost Her Leg
Now, over two weeks after her crash at the Olympics, Lindsey Vonn is finally out of the hospital.
Vonn shared the good news in a video she uploaded to social media early on Monday (February 23). She shared that she was well enough to move out of the hospital and into a hotel. Since she’s still in a wheelchair and “very much immobile,” it’s unknown when she’ll be able to return home.
Vonn detailed the true severity of her injury, revealing that the circumstances were more serious than they appeared.
In addition to suffering a complex tibia fracture, Vonn fractured her fibular head and tibial plateau. She also broke her right ankle.
“Just kind of everything was in pieces,” she said.
Her injury was particularly complex because she also had compartment syndrome. The Cleveland Clinic describes compartment syndrome as:
“…a painful buildup of pressure around your muscles. Acute compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that happens after severe injuries or as a surgery complication.”
Vonn described the syndrome as it relates to her injury. There was too much blood in her leg, which therefore got “stuck” and crushed her muscles, nerves, and tendons, leading to their death.
Because of the compartment syndrome, Vonn was at serious risk of losing her leg. She fully believes that her doctor, Dr. Tom Hackett, saved her leg from being amputated.
What’s Next For Lindsey Vonn?
Vonn said her injury was “by far the most extreme, and painful, and challenging” one she has ever faced. The pain was “out of control,” and she also needed a blood transfusion.
After that transfusion, Vonn “turned the corner” and was able to leave the hospital.
So what’s next?
As Vonn explained, it’s going to be “a long road” to recovery. Her focus is shifting to rehab in the hopes she can get out of her wheelchair and onto a set of crutches. Once she makes that transition, she will use crutches for several months.
Vonn said it will take “around a year” for all of the bones in her fractured leg to heal. After that, she will decide if she’s going to keep the metal hardware in her leg.
She’ll also undergo another surgery at that point to fix her ACL (which she tore in a crash prior to the Olympics).
Despite everything, Vonn says she has no regrets. She ended her video by thanking her supporters and sharing her love for them
Watch Vonn’s video below. We’ll continue praying for her recovery…
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