Lindsey Vonn’s Injuries Sometimes Result in Amputation or Inability to Walk, Expert Says

A French surgeon who specializes in injuries similar to the one Lindsey Vonn suffered says the Olympic athlete could have lost her leg in the accident.

Speaking to French-language outlet RCM Sport on Thursday, February 12, Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, who is not Vonn’s doctor, explained that the 41-year-old skier’s injuries are typically found in motorcycle accidents and can often result in consequences much worse than what Vonn is experiencing.

“Her goal now is first and foremost to keep her leg and be able to walk. I think we’re not yet at the stage of returning to high-level skiing. We’re not there yet, but some injuries like hers can end in amputation,” he told the outlet.

Vonn crashed just 13 seconds into her time competing in the women’s downhill run on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on February 8.

She had to be airlifted off the slope and has since undergone three surgeries. On Friday, February 13, she took to Instagram to give followers an update on her condition.

“It’s been quite a hard few days in the hospital here…. I have a long, long way to go,” she said. “Tomorrow I’ll have another surgery and hopefully that goes well and then I can potentially leave and go back home, at which point I will need another surgery.”

The day before, she posted photos to Instagram showing her leg in recovery with several pins and metal parts keeping it in place. “Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago,” she wrote in the caption.

The images indicate that she has a long road to recovery, the doctor explained.

“Even though the surgeries were successful, the ‘external fixator’ — that is, the enormous pin they put in her left leg — proves that they haven’t been able to fully repair his fracture. It’s only temporary for now,” Sonnery-Cottet told the outlet.

“It’s important to understand that her injury is extremely serious and will cause her problems for at least months, and could even leave her with lifelong consequences,” he added. “For a high-level athlete, this is almost the worst injury.”