Champion skier Lindsey Vonn is admittedly having a really tough time right now. She injured her ACL while competing at the Winter Olympics, then she fell and sustained a gruesome injury to her leg. There is no question that Vonn, 41, is an incredibly rugged and resilient athlete. Still, this major physical trauma has tested her to the limit. She posted an update about her condition on Instagram on February 20. It's clear that she is, as she put it, "struggling."
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Vonn's Leg Now Has Many Screws and Plates
Lindsey Vonn's social media post makes the extreme severity of her leg injury clear in words and images. Her damaged leg is presently held together with a bunch of plates and screws. She is still hospitalized in this country now, not Italy.
The skier wrote, "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. Thank you Dr Viola for the surgery assist as well!! 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."
She concluded with a praying hands emoji and a red heart emoji.
She Isn't Seeking "Sadness or Sympathy"
Vonn previously posted on Instagram on February 14 in a slightly more upbeat and determined tone. She was straightforward about not looking for either "sadness or sympathy." She added, "I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always."
Her Fans Are Behind Her
Vonn's most recent post garnered many replies. Her fans are with her every step of the way as she works on getting better. This gritty competitor will surely avail herself of that indomitable fighting spirit as she heals.
"You got this strong woman"
"6 million dollar woman! Love ya"
"You're almost more bionic than me! If anyone's got this it's you! And, Dr Hacket[t] is the best I'm happy you have the best team helping you."
"As an orthopedic surgeon, I just have to say that fixation is a thing of beauty. Not all of our surgeries will be shown to the world, and when the pressure was on, Dr. Hackett delivered. I wish you so much healing power, take it slow, be kind to yourself, belief that you will get better is the strongest medicine"
