At 41, Lindsey Vonn is rewriting what’s possible in alpine skiing – and her surgeon knows the stakes better than anyone.
Dr. Martin W. Roche, the orthopedic specialist at Hospital for Special Surgery Florida who performed Vonn’s groundbreaking robotic-assisted partial knee replacement in April 2024, watches her races with a powerful mix of pride and anxiety. The titanium implant in her right knee – custom-built from 3D modeling to resurface the most damaged lateral compartment while preserving her ACL, meniscus, and inner cartilage – has given the legend a “new life” on snow.
Vonn, who retired in 2019 after 82 World Cup wins, three Olympic medals, and years of brutal injuries (including multiple ACL tears, MCL damage, fractures, and nine prior knee surgeries), felt so good post-op she was wakeboarding in Miami within months and back training aggressively. What started as pain relief evolved into an unprecedented elite comeback: She qualified for her fifth Olympics in downhill, leads the World Cup downhill standings, and has racked up multiple wins and podiums this season (including victories in Zauchensee and St. Moritz, plus consistent top-3 finishes in recent races like Tarvisio).
Now, as she hurtles down courses at speeds exceeding 80 mph – the kind of high-impact, high-risk intensity that tests the limits of any joint replacement – Dr. Roche admits the nerves kick in. “She’s hitting 80 miles an hour plus, so we’re always anxious to make sure she comes down safe,” he said in recent interviews. Yet every clean run is a massive win: proof the implant’s bearing and long-term durability are holding up under extreme stress, turning Vonn into a real-time medical marvel and inspiring athletes worldwide.
Vonn herself calls her knee “better than it’s felt in 15 years,” crediting the minimally invasive procedure for restoring full extension, proprioception, and confidence. She’s not just racing – she’s dominating speed events, eyeing gold in downhill and super-G at Milano Cortina 2026 (opening Feb 6, speed races starting Feb 8), and planning to retire for good after the Games.
This isn’t just a comeback story; it’s a testament to resilience, cutting-edge orthopedics, and unbreakable will. Dr. Roche’s pride is earned – every safe, blazing run validates the surgery that made it all possible.
Is Vonn the favorite for Olympic downhill glory on Italian snow? Will her titanium knee carry her to one last podium? The skiing world is watching – and so is her surgeon, heart racing right alongside her.
