Lindsey Vonn is back in the operating room, but she's hoping this will be the final time. The skiing icon underwent her ninth surgery on Monday to remove the plates and hardware from her left leg, a painful reminder of the horrific crash that derailed her return at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Vonn, who suffered a compound fracture and tibial plateau fracture during the Milano Cortina Games in February, took to Instagram before the procedure to share her emotions with fans. "This day has been looming on my calendar for a while now, and the time has finally come," she wrote. "I've been nervous and anxious about it, but at the same time excited to hopefully put this behind me. This will be my ninth surgery and I'm praying my last."
The three-time Olympic medalist had been competing in the Games just weeks after tearing her ACL, a gutsy decision that ended in disaster. Now, nine months later, Vonn is still fighting to reclaim her body and her future in the sport.
In her Instagram post, Vonn explained that she had to wait for her bone to fully heal before doctors could insert a new ACL. "Great news is my bone has healed," she said. "Obviously, when you take out all the screws, that leaves holes in your bones as well, so those have to heal. But fingers crossed. Today's going to be a big day, but I have my friends and family around me. Everything is going to go great."
Vonn expressed confidence in her medical team, calling herself "in the best hands," and thanked the countless supporters who have sent well wishes during her long recovery. "Thank you again for all of the support over these last nine months," she wrote. "It has truly meant the world to me to receive so much love and encouragement. As my Mother said, 'Today is another great day!'… I hope she's right."
This latest surgery is just another chapter in a grueling comeback story that has tested Vonn's physical and mental limits. In September, she admitted to USA Today's Nancy Armour that she still has doubts about whether she'll ever race again. "There's a lot of unanswered questions that I have in my mind and I'm still trying to process everything," she said. "I don't want to close the door on racing. I think I have to be 100%, and I want to get back on the mountain before I can make that judgment."
Vonn's resilience has inspired athletes across all sports, much like the positive injury update from Lions linebacker Jack Campbell that lifted NFL fans this season. Her ability to face yet another setback with unwavering optimism is a testament to her champion's mindset.
As she recovers from this procedure, the skiing world holds its breath, hoping that this truly is the last surgery for a legend who has given so much to the sport. For now, Vonn remains focused on the small victories—healing, strength, and the chance to one day stand at the top of a mountain again.
