Since her crash at the Milan Olympics, Lindsey Vonn has gone through multiple surgeries due to her complex tibia fracture. Initial medical procedures were conducted in Italy, and with the 41-year-old coming back home to the United States, more surgeries await her.

On Instagram, the American skier provided an update to her followers, stating, “Made it through surgery… it took a bit more than 6 hours to complete. As you can see, it required a lot of plates and screws to put back together, but Dr. Hackett did an incredible job.”

She added, “With the extent of the trauma, I’ve been struggling a bit post op and have not yet been able to be discharged from the hospital just yet… almost there. Baby steps. Will explain the injury and what it all means soon. ❤️🙏🏻”

It took only 13 seconds to end her fairytale Olympic comeback dream. And following that crash on the Olympia delle Tofane downhill course, she has undergone multiple surgeries, as the doctors stabilized her leg first, then prevented the swelling and maintained the blood flow, followed by more surgeries. Even when she first declared her comeback to home soil, she knew that her recovery journey wouldn’t start soon.

Her X-ray picture, which she shared on Instagram, clearly showcased the severity of this injury. Metal plates and nails are holding her tibia together, and she is seen finding her solace in a shark plushy. Indeed, the 41-year-old has consistently asked her fans to refrain from sadness.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

“I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad. Please, don’t be sad. Empathy, love, and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy,” she wrote in another social media post.

While it usually takes around four to six months for a tibia fracture to heal, it also varies from person to person. However, with Vonn battling this injury, she found herself in a mourning state, owing to this heartbreaking update.

Lindsey Vonn lost one of her support systems

“Leo Vonn ✝️🤍 2013-2/9/2026 Leo has passed away and joined Lucy and Bear up in heaven 🪽 This has been an incredibly hard few days. Probably the hardest oh life. I still have not come to terms that he is gone…” Lindsey Vonn wrote in an emotional Instagram post, confirming her pet, Leo, who passed away recently.

“The day I crashed, so did Leo. He had been recently diagnosed with lung cancer (he survived lymphoma a year and a half ago) but now his heart was failing him. He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind. As I layed in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy. I had lost so much that meant something to me in such a short amount of time. I can’t believe it,” she added.

Vonn was in pain. Leo has been with her since 2014. The skier rescued him from a Florida shelter that had overlooked him because of his bad knee from being hit by a car. Since then, they have been each other’s support system.

“My boy has been with me since my second ACL injury, when I needed him most. He held me on the sofa as I watched the Sochi Olympics. He lifted me up when I was down. He layed by me, and cuddle me, always making me feel safe and loved. We have been through so much together in 13 years,” she recalled.

Leo’s loss comes after Vonn lost her other two pets, Lucy and Bear. So, it was tough for her. “It’s going to be a while before I emotionally process things but I know he will always be with me. I know he’s up there with Lucy and Bear and my mom and grandparents and so many people I have lost in the past few years. Andi takes splice knowing he’s not in pain anymore,” she wrote.

“There will never be another Leo. He will always be my first love. Heading in for more surgery today. Will be thinking of him when I close my eyes. I will love you forever my big boy 🤍”

The recent days haven’t been very kind to Vonn. She has faced subsequent challenges, whether they be physical or mental, but she hasn’t stopped fighting for herself.