US skier Lindsey Vonn reveals leg was nearly amputated

US skier Lindsey Vonn revealed on February 23, 2026, that she nearly had her leg amputated following an Olympic crash. The injury was so severe that amputation was considered a possibility. Vonn's doctor was ultimately able to relieve the traumatic injury, preventing the need for amputation. The specific location of the Olympics and the details of the crash were not provided in the source. The revelation highlights the severity of the injuries sustained during her skiing career.

Lindsey Vonn revealed that she almost lost her left leg following a crash during the women's downhill race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on February 8th. The crash caused a complex tibia fracture and led to compartment syndrome, a condition where excessive pressure restricts blood flow. Vonn credited orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Hackett for performing a fasciotomy, a procedure to relieve the pressure and restore blood flow, ultimately saving her leg from amputation. Vonn stated that Hackett was present at the Olympics because she chose to compete despite tearing her ACL shortly before the event. She shared this information in an Instagram post, explaining the severity of the injury beyond the initial fracture.