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Lindsey Vonn Reveals Near Amputation After Fall
23 Feb
Summary
- Skier Lindsey Vonn's life was saved by a doctor after a severe crash.
- She suffered compartment syndrome, a life-threatening condition.
- A fasciotomy was performed to save her leg from amputation.
Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn recently disclosed the critical danger she faced following a downhill crash during the Milan Cortina Olympics. The accident resulted in a complex tibia fracture and, more alarmingly, compartment syndrome. This condition, characterized by excessive blood accumulation restricting circulation, threatened to cause irreparable damage to her muscle and nerves.
Dr. Tom Hackett, an orthopedic surgeon, was on-site and performed an emergency fasciotomy, a life-saving procedure that involved opening the affected area to allow blood flow. Vonn expressed profound gratitude, stating Hackett saved her life and prevented the amputation of her leg. She also sustained a broken right ankle in the same incident.
The crash occurred when Vonn's right arm clipped a gate, sending her into a rapid tumble across the icy surface. Medics attended to her for approximately 13 minutes before she was airlifted to a hospital. This incident occurred shortly after she had torn her ACL in a previous downhill crash in January 2026.
