Callum Jones
Lindsey Vonn has shared an emotional health update after she suffered a horrific skiing crash at the Winter Olympics on Sunday (February 8).
The Team USA star crashed just 13 seconds into her downhill session and was airlifted to hospital after sustaining a complex tibia fracture.
The crash, which came just a week after Vonn stated she had ruptured her ACL, led to the Olympian having to endure multiple surgeries in the days since.
Now, the 41-year-old has taken to Instagram to provide fans with an update on her health and what her road to recovery may entail.
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In an emotional video, Vonn said: "Hey guys, just wanted to give a little update and say thank you so much to everyone that has been sending me flowers and letters and sharks, stuffed animals, it’s just been so amazing, and it’s really helped me a lot.
“It’s really been quite a hard few days in the hospital here. I’m finally feeling more like myself, but I have a long, long way to go."
The Olympian went on to say she's having another operation on Saturday (February 14), and that she hopes she'll be able to return home to continue her recovery soon after.
She did note that more surgeries would be needed in the future.
Vonn continued: "So I don’t know exactly what that entails yet until I get some better imaging, but that’s kind of where I am right now.
“I’m just in the hospital, very much immobile. But I have a lot of friends and family that have been coming up to visit, and as I said, the letters and notes and everything, flowers, have just been so incredible.
“The staff and medical team here have been amazing, so I feel very lucky and fortunate to have so many people around me who have helped me get through this.
“So I just want to say thank you and go Team USA, it’s been so great to watch and has really lifted my spirit, so good job team and keep crushing it. I’ll check with you guys when I can.”
It comes after a doctor warned Vonn's type of injury could lead to amputation in some cases.
Dr Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet told RMC Sport: “The timeline is quite unpredictable. It will be months before she can walk normally again.
“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…”
The health expert referenced the Olympian's updates online and how her life may be somewhat different heading into the future.
"The latest images posted on her Instagram account show that, 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 her fracture," the doctor added.
“It's only temporary for now. 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.”