Lindsey Vonn has emotionally announced her discharge from the hospital after sustaining a serious leg injury during the Winter Olympics. The skiing icon was airlifted to a hospital in Italy following an ACL injury during the downhill event at the Games earlier this month.
After undergoing multiple surgeries, Vonn was initially released from the Italian hospital to return to the United States for further treatment. In an Instagram post, she shared the extent of her injuries, which included compartment syndrome and a broken ankle, and expressed gratitude towards her surgeon for preventing the amputation of her leg.
Describing her injuries in a video on Instagram, Vonn explained the complexity of her tibia fracture, fibula head fracture, and compartment syndrome, where excessive blood accumulation can cause damage to muscles, nerves, and tendons. She credited Dr. Tom Hackett for saving her leg through a fasciotomy procedure.
Expressing her gratitude for the successful six-hour surgery, Vonn acknowledged the challenges she faced during her hospital stay due to low hemoglobin levels from blood loss. She mentioned being wheelchair-bound for the time being due to a broken right ankle, with plans to transition to crutches in the coming weeks and undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation process.
Vonn updated her followers on her recovery progress, emphasizing her current immobility and the anticipated timeline for her recovery phases. She also outlined the possibility of additional surgeries in the future for complete healing, underscoring her determination to overcome the obstacles ahead.
As Vonn moves from the hospital to a hotel for continued recovery, she thanked her followers for their support and expressed optimism about her rehabilitation journey. With a focus on healing and rehabilitation, Vonn remains hopeful for a full recovery in the coming months, acknowledging the long road ahead but expressing gratitude for her current progress and the support she has received.