Lindsey Vonn’s Five-Month Recovery After Milano-Cortina Crash

Five months after striking a gate just 13 seconds into her downhill run at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, former Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn remains in intensive rehabilitation. The 41-year-old suffered a broken ankle, a complex tibia fracture in her left leg and an earlier ACL injury. Six surgeries—including placement of an external fixator pin—have been performed, and she was airlifted to hospital before returning home to the United States. Vonn has progressed from wheelchair confinement to walking unassisted, but she describes walking and gym work as “still really hard.” She appeared on the red carpet at the ESPYS in New York, indicating limited but notable mobility.

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Orthopaedic specialist Dr Bertrand Sonnery-Cottettold explained that Vonn’s primary goal is to preserve the leg and regain independent walking. He warned that “we’re not yet at the stage of returning to high-level skiing” and noted that injuries of this severity can, in rare cases, lead to amputation. The external fixator remains in place, signaling that the fracture is still stabilising and that full functional recovery may take months or longer, with possible lifelong consequences.

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Vonn has used Instagram reels to document gradual strength gains, including squats with a medicine ball. In public remarks she emphasized that her “ankle is still broken” but that her leg is healing. She expressed emotional relief at walking unaided after three-and-a-half months of dependence on crutches and a wheelchair. Despite the setback, Vonn says she has “no regrets” about competing and hopes her story encourages others to “dare greatly.”

The Sun - US

• “My ankle is still broken, but you know, one thing at a time.” — Lindsey Vonn, Instagram post

The Sun - US

• “It was honestly almost three and a half months that I was unable to walk unassisted.” — Lindsey Vonn, interview

The Sun - US

• “It's been five months since I've been able to actually go to the gym in a somewhat meaningful way.” — Lindsey Vonn, People red-carpet interview

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• “I think we're not yet at the stage of returning to high-level skiing.” — Dr Bertrand Sonnery-Cottettold, RMC Sport interview

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