Lindsey Vonn’s Knee‑Tough Comeback

Lindsey Vonn has always been a standout in alpine skiing, but her career is as much about biology and resilience as it is about speed. At 41, she announced retirement in 2018 because her knees were aging and hurting. Yet a breakthrough robotic knee operation in 2024 revived her competitive edge, allowing her to straighten her right knee again and return to the slopes in just two months. The new procedure was a partial replacement: only the damaged cartilage on one side of her knee was swapped for titanium, keeping healthy ligaments intact. The surgical robot, made by MAKO Surgical Corp. , helped surgeons remove worn bone with precision and fit the implant exactly. After the operation, Vonn could walk without pain and even wakeboard—an encouraging sign for her upcoming return to racing.Her comeback faced a setback when she crashed in Crans‑Montana on January 30, tearing the ACL in her left knee and bruising bone. An ACL tear is common among skiers, especially women, because of looser joints and different landing mechanics. The injury happened during a “recovery” maneuver: the ski’s edge caught, her stiff boots limited motion, and a shear force pushed the shinbone inward. This creates a valgus load that strains the ACL. While a torn ACL can be managed with bracing, many athletes choose reconstruction surgery for full stability. Vonn plans to compete at the Milano‑Cortina Olympics with a brace, hoping her mental toughness will carry her through. Experts note that psychological strength is as crucial as physical conditioning in high‑risk sports like downhill racing. Whether she will lift a gold medal remains uncertain, but her journey underscores how medical advances and mental grit can extend an athlete’s career beyond what once seemed possible.