Lindsey Vonn’s sister lifts the lid on Olympic star’s ‘rough’ hospital stay after gruesome leg break
Lindsey Vonn’s sister insists the Olympic icon is “super strong” despite suffering a horrific leg break after a “tough” week in hospital.
Vonn, 41, underwent four surgeries in Italy after suffering a complex tibia fracture in a skiing accident at the Winter Olympics.
Serious damage to his leg required multiple procedures, while an expert warned that some similar injuries even required amputation.
Karin Kildow said after her sister was released from the hospital on Sunday following her fourth surgery on Saturday. TMZ Sports it’s now taking it ‘one day at a time’.
‘It was a difficult process, I was in the hospital a lot,’ said Kildow, 37. ‘Just one day. He’s super strong but there’s a lot of surgery and stuff. ‘We are working to return him to the United States’
On Monday night, Vonn confirmed that she had returned home and paid tribute to hospital staff in Europe. ‘[I] “I haven’t been able to stand on my feet for more than a week… I’ve been lying motionless in a hospital bed since my race,” he shared on social media.
Lindsey Vonn’s sister insists Olympic icon is ‘super strong’ despite horrific leg break
Vonn, 41, underwent four surgeries after horrific crash at Winter Olympics
‘And even though I can’t stand it yet, it feels great to be back home… Thank you so much to everyone in Italy for taking good care of me.’
Critics on social media questioned Vonn’s decision to compete in the women’s downhill race the day after her anterior cruciate ligament tear.
But Karin says the family doesn’t pay attention to the negativity online.
‘Do you know? “I guess everyone has something to say… but he is strong and he did it,” he concluded.
Earlier Monday, Vonn shared a behind-the-scenes video from the hospital on Instagram, showing her exercising, getting her hair washed, and feeding herself dinner while speeding up her recovery.
He also added the following caption: ‘Thank you to my friends, family, team and all the medical staff who brought me back to my senses…. I’m slowly getting back to life, the basics, and the most meaningful simple things in life. Smile. To laugh. Love.
‘My sister @kar_inthegarage made this video and it instantly made me cry and fill my heart. I love you guys.
Vonn lost control on the opening cross last Sunday after cutting too tightly off the line and spun in the air.
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On Monday, he shared a behind-the-scenes video of his recovery in the hospital.
Ski legend breaks left leg after crashing in women’s downhill race
After the crash, she was heard screaming as she was surrounded by medical staff before being strapped to a stretcher and flown away in a helicopter.
Vonn, who challenged last week, claimed she would one day ski again despite fears she could lose her left leg.
In an emotional post, the iconic skier added that he had no regrets about competing in the downhill race – he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee days before the accident, which he insists had no bearing on what happened – and conspicuously promised to ski again sometime in the future.
Although he may have meant it for fun rather than trying to compete at the highest level once again, he said: ‘Please don’t be upset. The journey was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night, I have no regrets and my love for skiing continues.
‘I still look forward to the moment when I can stand on the mountaintop once again. And I will.’
