Olympic alpine skier Lindsey Vonn has revealed that she came close to undergoing leg amputation after developing compartment syndrome following a crash during the Olympic downhill event, in an Instagram video she uploaded on Monday in her handle.
She had previously torn her ACL (knee ligament) in the World Cup downhill race at Crans-Montana, Switzerland in January. She was wearing a specialised knee brace to help her continue her competition. On February 8th, during the Winter Olympics 2026 in Cortina, Italy, she crashed again resulting in additional injuries, including a tibial plateau fracture.
The 41-year-old athlete stated that complications after the high-speed crash during Olympics led to a serious medical emergency requiring urgent surgical intervention.
Lindsey confirmed multiple serious injuries and outlining the next phase of her recovery. In the Instagram post made after being discharged from the hospital two weeks post-injury, Vonn revealed she sustained a complex left tibial shaft fracture, left tibial plateau fracture, left fibular head fracture, left compartment syndrome, a right ankle fracture, and low hemoglobin due to blood loss. She underwent more than four surgeries and required blood transfusions during her hospital stay.
Imaging shared in her update included a 3D CT reconstruction demonstrating significant comminution (multiple fracture fragments) and intra-articular extension involving the tibial plateau, the weight-bearing surface of the knee joint. Intra-articular fractures are surgically challenging because restoring the smooth cartilage surface is critical to long-term joint function. Such injuries are associated with an increased risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis, which may develop over time due to cartilage damage and disrupted blood supply to the joint surface.
Vonn also developed acute compartment syndrome, a limb-threatening condition caused by elevated pressure within the muscle compartments of the leg. This pressure can impair blood flow and lead to tissue necrosis if not treated promptly. She underwent an emergency fasciotomy, a surgical procedure in which the fascia is opened to relieve pressure and restore circulation. Wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) devices were placed to manage swelling, reduce infection risk, and promote healing. Compartment syndrome is a recognized risk following high-energy fractures and requires urgent surgical management to prevent complications, including possible amputation if untreated.
Her hospitalization was extended due to low hemoglobin levels from surgical blood loss, necessitating transfusions. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood, and significantly low levels can impair healing and cause fatigue. In trauma settings, transfusion is typically considered when hemoglobin drops below critical thresholds, depending on clinical stability.
In addition to her left leg injuries, Vonn disclosed a right ankle fracture, though no surgery has been publicly indicated for that injury. She will remain non-weight-bearing for a period and expects a prolonged rehabilitation process. She has stated that bone healing may take approximately one year, after which decisions will be made regarding potential hardware removal and delayed ACL reconstruction. Surgeons often avoid hardware removal unless medically necessary, as it involves another major operation and added recovery time.
Vonn credited Team USA orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Hackett with managing her compartment syndrome and performing the necessary surgical interventions. She is now beginning what is expected to be an extended rehabilitation phase focused on restoring mobility, strength, and joint stability.
Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that occurs when pressure builds up inside a closed muscle compartment. This pressure can reduce blood flow, depriving tissues of oxygen and nutrients.
It most commonly develops after:
High-impact trauma
Fractures
Severe muscle contusions
Crush injuries
If untreated, compartment syndrome can lead to:
Permanent muscle and nerve damage
Tissue death (necrosis)
Limb amputation
Acute compartment syndrome is considered a surgical emergency.
Vonn reported that the severity of swelling and internal pressure in her leg raised the possibility of amputation.
She credited Dr. Tom Hackett, Team USA surgeon for acting quickly to relieve the pressure and restore circulation, which ultimately saved her limb.
The standard treatment for acute compartment syndrome is a procedure known as a fasciotomy, in which surgeons cut open the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles) to relieve pressure and restore blood flow.
Alpine skiing is a high-speed sport with elevated risk for traumatic injuries. Compartment syndrome has been documented in various contact and high-impact sports following fractures or blunt-force trauma.
Early symptoms typically include:
Severe, disproportionate pain
Tightness or swelling in the affected limb
Numbness or tingling
Pain worsening with passive stretching
Medical professionals emphasize that immediate evaluation is crucial when these symptoms occur after trauma.
Vonn’s disclosure highlights the importance of rapid trauma assessment in elite sports settings. Access to immediate surgical expertise can significantly influence outcomes in acute compartment syndrome.
Vonn stated that she “almost had [her] leg amputated,” during this accident.
(Rh)
