Lindsey Vonn Undergoes Extensive Surgery After Olympic Crash

The decorated skier posts graphic images and details of her latest injury recovery process.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Lindsey Vonn, the decorated Olympic skier, has undergone extensive surgery after a serious crash during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Vonn posted images and details of the procedure, which she says required "a lot of plates and screws" to repair the damage to her leg. The surgery was performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Hackett at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.

Why it matters

Vonn's latest injury is a major setback in her storied career, which has been marked by numerous comebacks from serious injuries. This crash and surgery raise questions about whether the 31-year-old skier will be able to continue competing at the highest levels of the sport.

The details

Vonn crashed 13 seconds into her downhill run on the second day of the Olympics, suffering a ruptured ACL in her left knee. The gate hooked her arm and sent her tumbling down the slope. She was airlifted to a hospital in Italy, where she underwent multiple surgeries before being flown back to the U.S. earlier this week. Vonn's latest surgery, performed by Dr. Hackett, took over 6 hours and involved extensive use of plates and screws to repair the damage.

  • Vonn crashed during the downhill event on the second day of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Vonn spent over a week in an Italian hospital undergoing multiple surgeries before being flown back to the U.S. earlier this week.
  • Vonn posted details about her latest surgery on February 20, 2026.

The players

Lindsey Vonn

A decorated American Olympic skier who has won multiple gold medals and is attempting a comeback after a series of major injuries.

Dr. Thomas Hackett

A renowned orthopedic surgeon who works with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and operates out of The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.

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What they’re saying

“Made it through surgery … it took a bit more than 6 hours to complete. As you can see, it required a lot of plates and screws to put back together but Dr Hackett did an incredible job.”

— Lindsey Vonn (Instagram)

What’s next

Vonn will need an extensive rehabilitation process to recover from this latest surgery and injury. It remains to be seen if she will be able to return to competitive skiing.

The takeaway

Lindsey Vonn's storied career has been defined by her ability to overcome major injuries, but this latest crash and surgery represent a significant challenge. Her determination and resilience will be tested as she works to make another comeback and potentially compete in future Olympics.