Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn faces a challenging recovery following a high-speed crash during the women’s downhill event, but orthopedic experts believe the 41-year-old could return to elite competition within a year.
Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated alpine skiers in history, sustained a complex displaced tibia fracture in her left leg during Sunday’s race at the Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The incident required immediate airlift and surgical stabilization, marking her second major setback in recent weeks after rupturing her ACL in the same leg just days before the Games.
Despite the severity of the injury, specialists are cautiously optimistic about her prospects. Arturo Guarino, former head of sports traumatology at Milan’s Pini Institute and ex-physician for Inter Milan, noted that Vonn’s prior partial knee replacement on her right knee adds complexity to the recovery equation.
“It will also be necessary to check whether the prosthesis suffered any consequences from the fall in Cortina,” Guarino said. “If it did, then the implant will also require intervention, and recovery time could be extended.”
Marco Panzeri, another orthopedic specialist, highlighted the uniqueness of Vonn’s situation, describing her as the only top-level skier currently competing with a partial knee prosthesis.
“It’s unclear how long the implant will continue to tolerate the forces generated in competition at this level,” Panzeri added.
Vonn underwent the groundbreaking partial titanium knee replacement in April 2024, a robot-assisted procedure that resurfaced only the damaged portion of her knee. The surgery allowed her to resume high-level racing remarkably quickly, defying expectations and enabling her improbable comeback to the World Cup circuit and ultimately the 2026 Olympics.
Doctors emphasize that Vonn’s age, mental toughness, and history of resilience will be critical factors in determining whether she can reclaim her place at the pinnacle of the sport. The American star has long been known for her extraordinary determination, having overcome numerous knee injuries throughout her career.
Vonn remains in stable condition under the care of a multidisciplinary team of American and Italian physicians. While her immediate focus is on rehabilitation from the fracture and multiple planned surgeries, the possibility of a return to racing within 12 months has sparked hope among fans and the skiing community.
Vonn’s journey continues to inspire, underscoring both the punishing toll of elite alpine skiing and the remarkable advances in modern orthopedic medicine.
