Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn is proving once again why she’s one of the toughest athletes in sports history. Just days after returning to the United States from Italy, the 41-year-old underwent her fifth surgery to repair the devastating leg injury she suffered in a horrific crash during the women’s downhill at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
In a candid Instagram post on February 20, Vonn shared that the procedure “took a bit more than 6 hours to complete” and required “a lot of plates and screws” to reconstruct her severely damaged left tibia. She praised her surgical team, including Dr. Hackett and Dr. Viola, for their “incredible” work but admitted she’s been “struggling a bit post-op” with intense pain that’s “hard to manage.” Still hospitalized and taking “baby steps” toward recovery, Vonn remains optimistic about leaving soon.
But the real showstopper came shortly after: Vonn posted stark X-ray images of her repaired leg, revealing an astonishing array of metal hardware—dozens of screws and plates holding the complex tibial fracture together. Captioning the gritty visuals with her signature humor and resilience, she wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I’m bionic for real now 🦾.”
The images quickly went viral, drawing reactions from fans, fellow athletes, and medical professionals alike. Many described the X-rays as “gnarly” or “insane,” highlighting the sheer extent of the reconstruction needed after her high-speed Olympic tumble on February 8.
Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated alpine skiers ever, had already endured four initial surgeries in Italy following the crash (which also involved a previously ruptured ACL and additional damage). The latest operation in Colorado removed external fixators and focused on permanent internal fixation.
Despite the setback, Vonn’s updates have been filled with gratitude for supporters and a determination to heal. “Making slow progress,” she noted in an earlier X post, “but I hope I can be out of the hospital soon. Thank you all for the support.”
The skiing icon’s transparency about her grueling recovery has inspired thousands, turning what could have been a private battle into a powerful reminder of resilience. As Vonn embarks on what promises to be a long rehabilitation road, one thing is clear: this “bionic” champion isn’t done fighting yet. Fans worldwide are rooting for her comeback—whatever form it takes.
