Lindsey Vonn has undergone her ninth surgery following her devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Olympic skiing legend has now given fans a closer look at the medical hardware doctors removed from her leg, offering a glimpse into the severity of her injuries and the long recovery still ahead.
At 42, Vonn shared a video on her Instagram Stories showing the plates and screws that had been removed during her latest operation.
Earlier in the week, she had prepared followers for the procedure, explaining that surgeons planned to take out the metal hardware that had been supporting her badly injured leg. The operation was also intended to finally address her torn ACL, an injury she had sustained shortly before the Winter Olympics.
On Wednesday, Vonn shared some encouraging news with her followers, confirming that the operation had gone successfully.
“Surgery went well,” she wrote, adding that she would “give you an update soon.”
She also posted a video of a bag containing the plates and screws removed from her leg, alongside an image showing her bandaged limb.
“Got all this s*** out of my leg,” Vonn wrote in her Instagram Stories.
The procedure represents another important milestone in a difficult recovery that began following her frightening accident at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
Lindsey Vonn Shares Photo of Screws and Plates Removed From Her Leg After Ninth Surgery
Even before the Olympics began, Vonn had faced a significant setback. She had torn her ACL during a World Cup race but remained determined to pursue her dream of competing on the Olympic stage.
Unfortunately, her Olympic race ended in disaster.
Just 13 seconds after starting her run, Vonn struck a gate and suffered a devastating crash. The 42-year-old sustained serious injuries and had to be airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment.
Doctors discovered complex fractures in her left tibia and fibula, along with a fracture in her right ankle. The injuries were so severe that medical professionals initially feared she might lose her leg.
She also developed compartment syndrome, a dangerous condition in which pressure builds up within muscle compartments and can threaten surrounding tissues. The condition required emergency surgery.
After undergoing several procedures in Italy, Vonn eventually returned to the United States, where she continued receiving treatment and underwent additional operations to repair the extensive damage.
Her ninth surgery was particularly significant because doctors were finally able to remove the plates and screws that had been holding her injured leg together while also addressing the ACL injury.
Although the operation went well, the removal of the hardware marks the beginning of another stage in her recovery.
Not Ruled Out Returning to Skiing
Despite the encouraging news, Vonn still faces a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Before the latest procedure, she explained that removing the metal hardware would leave holes in the bone. Those areas will need time to heal before she can safely progress through recovery.
Doctors reportedly warned that the healing process could take another six to nine months.
Even after everything she has endured, Vonn has not completely ruled out returning to competitive skiing.
For now, her attention remains on healing and rebuilding her strength. Whether she will eventually return to the slopes remains uncertain.
Her journey has involved multiple surgeries, serious complications, and an enormous physical challenge. But Vonn continues to take things one step at a time as she works toward recovery.
