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Vonn says doctor saved her leg from amputation as she leaves hospital
Summary
Lindsey Vonn left hospital after multiple surgeries for a complex leg fracture sustained at the Winter Olympics, and said Dr Tom Hackett performed a fasciotomy that she says prevented amputation.
Content
Lindsey Vonn has left hospital after a series of surgeries following a crash at the Winter Olympics. She was airlifted from the Cortina course on 8 February after clipping a gate and falling. Vonn said she sustained a complex tibia fracture, a fractured fibula head and a broken ankle, and underwent multiple operations. She credited Dr Tom Hackett with performing a fasciotomy that she says prevented amputation.
Key facts:
- Vonn fell during the women's downhill in Cortina on 8 February and was airlifted to hospital.
- She reported a complex tibia fracture, a fractured fibula head and a broken right ankle, and doctors treated compartment syndrome with a fasciotomy.
- Vonn underwent multiple surgeries, including a reported five operations, and received a blood transfusion after her haemoglobin dropped.
- She has returned home in a wheelchair and said the bones will take about a year to heal before any decisions on hardware removal and ACL repair.
Summary:
Vonn says a fasciotomy performed by Dr Tom Hackett prevented amputation after a complex leg injury sustained at the Winter Olympics. She has left hospital and is at home in a wheelchair while her recovery continues. She said the bones will take around a year to heal, with further surgery possible later.
