Lindsey Vonn has undergone her ninth surgery following her devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Now, the Olympic skiing legend is giving fans a closer look at the extensive damage to her leg, sharing photos and videos of the metal plates and screws doctors removed during her latest operation as she faces a lengthy road to recovery.
Lindsey Vonn, 42, has offered a striking glimpse into the severity of the injuries she sustained during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Taking to her Instagram Stories, the legendary skier shared a video showing the plates and screws surgeons removed from her leg during her most recent procedure.
Earlier this week, Vonn had prepared her followers for the operation, explaining that doctors planned to remove the metal hardware that had been keeping her badly injured leg together. The surgery was also expected to address her torn ACL, an injury she had suffered shortly before the Winter Olympics.
On Wednesday, she returned to Instagram with an encouraging update, reassuring fans that the procedure had gone according to plan.
“Surgery went well,” she wrote, promising to “give you an update soon.”
She also shared a video revealing a bag filled with the metal plates and screws removed during the operation, along with a brief look at her heavily bandaged leg.
“Got all this s*** out of my leg,” Vonn wrote in her Instagram Stories, accompanying the footage.
The latest procedure represents another significant milestone in a long and challenging recovery that began following her frightening accident at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
Lindsey Vonn Shares Photos of Screws and Plates Removed From Her Leg After Ninth Surgery
Vonn’s Olympic comeback had already been complicated by a serious injury before the competition even began. The skiing star had torn her ACL during a World Cup race, but despite the setback, she remained determined to pursue her dream of competing on the Olympic stage once again.
Unfortunately, her Olympic campaign ended in a devastating crash.
Just 13 seconds after starting her run, Vonn struck a gate and suffered a serious accident. The 42-year-old was left with severe injuries and had to be airlifted to hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Following the crash, doctors discovered that she had sustained complex fractures to her left tibia and fibula, as well as a fracture to her right ankle. The extent of the damage was so severe that medical professionals initially feared she might even lose her leg.
Her condition became even more complicated when she developed compartment syndrome, a dangerous medical condition in which pressure builds up inside the muscles and can threaten surrounding tissue. The complication required emergency surgery.
After undergoing several operations in Italy, Vonn eventually returned to the United States, where she continued receiving treatment and underwent additional procedures to repair the extensive damage.
Her latest surgery was particularly significant because doctors were finally able to remove the metal plates and screws that had been holding her injured leg together. The procedure also addressed the ACL injury, marking another important stage in her recovery.
Lindsey Vonn Has Not Ruled Out a Return to Skiing
Although the latest operation represents a major step forward, Vonn still has a considerable rehabilitation journey ahead of her.
Before undergoing surgery, the Olympic champion explained that removing the metal hardware would leave holes in her bones. Those areas will need sufficient time to heal before she can fully move forward with her recovery.
Doctors warned her that the healing process could take an additional six to nine months, meaning she still faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
Nevertheless, despite the frightening accident, multiple surgeries and serious complications, Lindsey Vonn has not completely closed the door on a possible return to competitive skiing.
For now, her priority remains recovering from the injuries and allowing her body the time it needs to heal. Whether she will eventually make another comeback to the slopes remains uncertain.
Only time will tell whether the skiing legend will once again find herself competing on the mountain.