Lindsey Vonn, the renowned Olympic skier, has updated her fans on her health following her recent surgery, which marks her ninth procedure on her injured leg. The 42-year-old athlete took to Instagram on November 12 to express her gratitude and share the positive outcome of her operation.
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“Surgery went well! It took over five hours to remove all of the plates and screws from my leg and replace my ACL,” Vonn stated in her post. She conveyed her relief as she returned home from the hospital, emphasising her optimism about being on the final road to a full recovery.
In her post, Vonn expressed heartfelt appreciation towards several individuals who supported her throughout this journey—including her doctors, physical therapist Lindsay Winninger, the United States Ski Team, and her loved ones. The post was accompanied by a series of images depicting her time in the hospital as well as her recovery at home, where she enjoyed the company of her dog, Chance, and watched episodes of *Law & Order: SVU*, featuring her friend Mariska Hargitay.
Earlier on Wednesday, November 11, Vonn shared a brief update on her Instagram Stories. Lying in her hospital bed, she managed a thumbs-up for the camera, signalling her hope and determination. “Surgery went well,” she assured her followers, promising to provide further updates on her recovery journey soon.
The surgery, conducted on November 9, had been long anticipated by the Olympic champion. Prior to the operation, Vonn shared her feelings of anxiety and excitement through a video on Instagram, acknowledging the importance of this step in her recovery process. “This day has been looming on my calendar for a while now… and the time has finally come,” she wrote.
The procedure involved the complicated removal of hardware inserted to address the complex tibia fracture sustained during her crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics. In addition, her surgeon replaced the ACL that Vonn had torn just a week before the Games. She elaborated on the necessity of removing the plates and screws, explaining that the presence of the hardware prevented her from receiving a new ACL sooner.
Vonn reflected on the delay in her surgery, which occurred nine months after her injury, attributing it to the need for her bones to heal properly. “My bones healed, which is great news,” she noted, but acknowledged that this indicated yet another lengthy recovery process ahead. “This means another six to nine months of recovery like a normal ACL surgery,” she added. Additionally, she explained that with the removal of the screws, her bones would need further time to heal from the resulting holes left behind.
Back in February, Vonn had faced a devastating injury during a World Cup race just prior to the Winter Olympics, where she completely ruptured her ACL. Despite this setback, she had announced her decision to compete at the Olympics, only to suffer a crash during her downhill event on February 8. Her ski pole had snagged on a course flag, causing her to fall and sustain further injuries, leading to immediate hospitalisation in Treviso, Italy.
The aftermath of her crash required a total of four surgeries to stabilise her leg, with subsequent procedures occurring back in the United States after Vonn was medically cleared to return home. Throughout these struggles, Vonn has maintained a positive outlook, drawing strength and support from her friends, family, and the wider sporting community.
As she embarks on this new phase of recovery, Vonn’s resilience and determination continue to inspire her fans and fellow athletes alike. As a decorated Olympian, she remains focused on her rehabilitation, hopeful for a return to full health and the potential to reclaim her place among the elite in skiing.
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