Lindsey Vonn, the renowned American skier, faces a lengthy road to recovery following a harrowing crash at the Winter Olympics, as per a specialist surgeon in France. The surgeon indicated that the repercussions of the injury may be enduring.

Vonn was swiftly airlifted to a hospital in Treviso after a high-speed mishap just seconds into the women’s downhill event, where she lost her balance and tumbled onto the slope in Cortina. Subsequently, she underwent three surgeries for a “complex tibia fracture” and is now undergoing rehabilitation, with potential challenges ahead, including the risk of amputation, according to Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, an orthopedic knee specialist in Lyon, France.

Dr. Sonnery-Cottet emphasized the uncertain timeline for Vonn’s recovery, stating that it could take months before she regains normal walking abilities. He highlighted the primary objective of preserving her leg function. While acknowledging progress in her treatment, he cautioned that returning to high-level skiing remains a distant prospect, cautioning that severe injuries like hers could lead to amputation.

The surgeon further noted that Vonn might encounter long-term difficulties, even if amputation is not necessary, emphasizing that her injury remains severe and could have lasting consequences. Vonn herself clarified that the crash resulting in a complex tibia fracture was unrelated to previous ACL injuries and expressed resilience in the face of the setback, urging others to embrace challenges and pursue their dreams without fear of failure.