{"id":1791705,"date":"2026-02-25T06:13:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T03:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1791705"},"modified":"2026-02-25T06:13:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T03:13:34","slug":"lindsey-vonn-reveals-that-emergency-surgery-prevented-amputation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1791705","title":{"rendered":"Lindsey Vonn Reveals That Emergency Surgery Prevented Amputation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_392798\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-392798\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-392798 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAIkAQMAAAC0jgiYAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAEFJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T+1pCaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAbq1kAAHopJniAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"548\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2806.jpeg?resize=640%2C548&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2806.jpeg?w=1100&amp;ssl=1 1100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2806.jpeg?resize=300%2C257&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2806.jpeg?resize=768%2C658&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2806.jpeg?resize=600%2C514&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"548\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-392798\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2806.jpeg?resize=640%2C548&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"548\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-392798\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Screenshot from the Instagram video. | Image: Lindsey Vonn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-85518795\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-85518795\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0nY29kZS1ibG9jayBjb2RlLWJsb2NrLTInIHN0eWxlPSdtYXJnaW46IDhweCBhdXRvOyB0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7IGRpc3BsYXk6IGJsb2NrOyBjbGVhcjogYm90aDsnPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9wYWdlYWQyLmdvb2dsZXN5bmRpY2F0aW9uLmNvbS9wYWdlYWQvanMvYWRzYnlnb29nbGUuanM\/Y2xpZW50PWNhLXB1Yi04MDQ2MzU3NTk4MTA4NzYyIgogICAgIGNyb3Nzb3JpZ2luPSJhbm9ueW1vdXMiPjwvc2NyaXB0Pgo8IS0tIE1vYmlsZSBJbi1BcnRpY2xlIC0tPgo8aW5zIGNsYXNzPSJhZHNieWdvb2dsZSIKICAgICBzdHlsZT0iZGlzcGxheTpibG9jayIKICAgICBkYXRhLWFkLWNsaWVudD0iY2EtcHViLTgwNDYzNTc1OTgxMDg3NjIiCiAgICAgZGF0YS1hZC1zbG90PSI0Njk5Mjg4MDkyIgogICAgIGRhdGEtYWQtZm9ybWF0PSJhdXRvIgogICAgIGRhdGEtZnVsbC13aWR0aC1yZXNwb25zaXZlPSJ0cnVlIj48L2lucz4KPHNjcmlwdD4KICAgICAoYWRzYnlnb29nbGUgPSB3aW5kb3cuYWRzYnlnb29nbGUgfHwgW10pLnB1c2goe30pOwo8L3NjcmlwdD48L2Rpdj4K\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-62347522\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-62347522\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>American ski legend Lindsey Vonn has been released from the hospital more than two weeks after her devastating crash at the Winter Olympics, detailing what she called the most \u201cextreme and painful\u201d injury of her career\u2014and revealing that emergency surgery saved her leg from possible amputation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/olympics-lindsey-vonns-olympic-dream-ends-with-shocking-crash\/\"><em>[OLYMPICS] Lindsey Vonn\u2019s Olympic Dream Ends with Shocking Crash<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>In a video message shared with fans on her social media channels, Vonn said she suffered a complex tibia fracture along with fractures to her fibular head and tibial plateau when she crashed during Olympic competition. <\/strong>The injury was compounded by compartment syndrome, a dangerous condition in which swelling and internal bleeding build pressure within muscle compartments, potentially cutting off blood flow and causing permanent tissue damage.\u00a0\u201cThe reason why it was so complex was because I had compartment syndrome,\u201d Vonn explained. \u201cThere was so much trauma and blood that it basically crushed everything in the compartment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>According to Vonn, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Hackett performed an emergency fasciotomy\u2014a procedure in which the leg is surgically opened to relieve pressure and restore circulation.<\/strong> She credited Hackett with saving her leg. \u201cHe saved my life from being amputated,\u201d she said, describing the six-hour surgery that stabilized her condition. Vonn also revealed she broke her right ankle in the crash, leaving her currently confined to a wheelchair. She expects to remain non-weight-bearing for some time, with crutches likely for at least two months as rehabilitation begins.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/lindsey-vonn-the-ride-was-worth-the-fall-after-successful-4th-surgery-in-italy\/\"><em><strong>Lindsey Vonn: \u201cThe Ride Was Worth the Fall\u201d After Successful 4th Surgery in Italy<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The Olympic crash marked a dramatic and painful end to what had already been an emotional Games for the three-time Olympic medalist and World Cup champion.<\/strong> Vonn had suffered a torn ACL just a week before the Olympics during the World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzezrland. SnowBrains previously reported that the athlete decided to compete regardless, stating she had been given the all clear by her medical team to compete. The decision sparked some controversy with some questioning why she would not vacate her Olympic spot for a younger athlete. However, the 41-year-old emphasized that she had qualified as the fastest American and had earned her spot and was confident she was in top shape to compete after consultation with her team. The subsequent crash at the Olympic downhill race in Cortina was unrelated to the ACL injury and stemmed from Vonn catching her right arm in the gate when she went too high on the top of the course in a bid to choose the most aggressive line.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_390181\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-390181\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-390181 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFoAQMAAAD9\/NgSAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADJJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T+3sARQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN3HoAAEwzlS7AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2578-1.jpeg?resize=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2578-1.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2578-1.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2578-1.jpeg?resize=1200%2C674&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2578-1.jpeg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2578-1.jpeg?resize=600%2C337&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"360\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-390181\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2578-1.jpeg?resize=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-390181\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lindsey Vonn hooking the gate with her right hand. | Image: The Associated Press<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Vonn admits that she remained hospitalized longer than expected due to significant blood loss and low hemoglobin levels, eventually requiring a blood transfusion before stabilizing.<\/strong> She thanked medical teams in both Italy and Colorado for their care and particularly Dr. Tom Hackett for saving her leg. Despite the severity of the injuries, Vonn struck a characteristically defiant tone. \u201cIt really knocked me down\u2026 but I\u2019m just like Rocky, I keep getting up,\u201d she said, adding that she has \u201cno regrets\u201d about competing and would rather \u201cgo down swinging than not try at all.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/how-and-why-lindsey-vonn-can-race-with-a-torn-acl-and-shes-not-alone\/\"><em><strong>How and Why Lindsey Vonn Can Race with a Torn ACL\u2014And She\u2019s Not Alone<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The Colorado ski icon, whose career has included multiple ACL tears, fractures, and her now legednary comeback after partial knee reconstruction, acknowledged that this recovery will be the most challenging she has ever faced.<\/strong> Still, she said she plans to begin rehabilitation immediately and take the process \u201cone step at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>While her Olympic campaign ended in a hospital bed rather than the finish area, Vonn said watching her Team USA teammates compete has been uplifting during recovery.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/lindsey-vonn-returns-home-to-colorado-following-her-olympic-downhill-crash\/\"><em><strong>Lindsey Vonn Returns Home to Colorado Following Her Olympic Downhill Crash<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>For one of alpine skiing\u2019s most resilient athletes, the road back begins again\u2014this time from a wheelchair, but with the same determination that has defined her career. <\/strong>During her 2025-26 season, Vonn won two downhill races, and claimed another five podiums, becoming the oldest woman in alpine skiing to\u00a0win a World Cup. To date, she still leads the downhill season standings, nearly 150 points ahead of Germany\u2019s Emma Aicher.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_392799\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-392799\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-392799 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHUAQMAAACQ9AscAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADtJREFUeNrtwQEBAAAAgiD\/r25IQAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMCXAZQUAAGT\/894AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"468\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?resize=640%2C468&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?resize=300%2C219&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?resize=1200%2C877&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?resize=768%2C561&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1122&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?resize=600%2C438&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"468\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-392799\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0794.jpeg?resize=640%2C468&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"468\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-392799\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lindsey Vonn with her teammate Breezy Johnson, who claimed Olympic gold at Cortina. | Image: SnowBrains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-4-22474670\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-4-22474670\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0nY29kZS1ibG9jayBjb2RlLWJsb2NrLTQnIHN0eWxlPSdtYXJnaW46IDhweCBhdXRvOyB0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7IGRpc3BsYXk6IGJsb2NrOyBjbGVhcjogYm90aDsnPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9wYWdlYWQyLmdvb2dsZXN5bmRpY2F0aW9uLmNvbS9wYWdlYWQvanMvYWRzYnlnb29nbGUuanM\/Y2xpZW50PWNhLXB1Yi04MDQ2MzU3NTk4MTA4NzYyIgogICAgIGNyb3Nzb3JpZ2luPSJhbm9ueW1vdXMiPjwvc2NyaXB0Pgo8IS0tIE1vYmlsZSBJbi1BcnRpY2xlIC0tPgo8aW5zIGNsYXNzPSJhZHNieWdvb2dsZSIKICAgICBzdHlsZT0iZGlzcGxheTpibG9jayIKICAgICBkYXRhLWFkLWNsaWVudD0iY2EtcHViLTgwNDYzNTc1OTgxMDg3NjIiCiAgICAgZGF0YS1hZC1zbG90PSI0Njk5Mjg4MDkyIgogICAgIGRhdGEtYWQtZm9ybWF0PSJhdXRvIgogICAgIGRhdGEtZnVsbC13aWR0aC1yZXNwb25zaXZlPSJ0cnVlIj48L2lucz4KPHNjcmlwdD4KICAgICAoYWRzYnlnb29nbGUgPSB3aW5kb3cuYWRzYnlnb29nbGUgfHwgW10pLnB1c2goe30pOwo8L3NjcmlwdD48L2Rpdj4K\" data-block=\"4\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-3-54807757\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-3-54807757\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0nY29kZS1ibG9jayBjb2RlLWJsb2NrLTMnIHN0eWxlPSdtYXJnaW46IDhweCBhdXRvOyB0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7IGRpc3BsYXk6IGJsb2NrOyBjbGVhcjogYm90aDsnPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9wYWdlYWQyLmdvb2dsZXN5bmRpY2F0aW9uLmNvbS9wYWdlYWQvanMvYWRzYnlnb29nbGUuanM\/Y2xpZW50PWNhLXB1Yi04MDQ2MzU3NTk4MTA4NzYyIgogICAgIGNyb3Nzb3JpZ2luPSJhbm9ueW1vdXMiPjwvc2NyaXB0Pgo8IS0tIEJlbG93IGZpcnN0IGltYWdlIC0tPgo8aW5zIGNsYXNzPSJhZHNieWdvb2dsZSIKICAgICBzdHlsZT0iZGlzcGxheTppbmxpbmUtYmxvY2s7d2lkdGg6NzI4cHg7aGVpZ2h0OjkwcHgiCiAgICAgZGF0YS1hZC1jbGllbnQ9ImNhLXB1Yi04MDQ2MzU3NTk4MTA4NzYyIgogICAgIGRhdGEtYWQtc2xvdD0iMTA3NzQ1NjIxNCI+PC9pbnM+CjxzY3JpcHQ+CiAgICAgKGFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlID0gd2luZG93LmFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlIHx8IFtdKS5wdXNoKHt9KTsKPC9zY3JpcHQ+PC9kaXY+Cg==\" data-block=\"3\"><\/div>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 2 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Screenshot from the Instagram video. | Image: Lindsey Vonn American ski legend Lindsey Vonn has been released from the hospital more than two weeks after her devastating crash at the Winter Olympics, detailing what she called the most \u201cextreme and painful\u201d injury of her career\u2014and revealing that emergency surgery saved her leg from possible amputation. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1791705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1791705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1791705"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1791705\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1791705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1791705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1791705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}