Lindsey Vonn Downhill World Cup
Lindsey Vonn after winning the Downhill World Cup title in 2008. (Photo: Gregwig Loffelholz/Wikimedia)

Vonn Goes Under the Knife

Dr. James Andrews successfully reconstructs ACL

Lindsey Vonn Downhill World Cup
Gregwig Loffelholz/Wikimedia(Photo)

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery to repair her second ACL tear in less than a year. Renowned physician James Andrews (he of RG3’s knee) carried out the operation on the skier’s right knee.

Vonn’s camp released a statement saying that the ACL reconstruction was completely successful and that Andrews expects her to recover in time for next year’s World Championships in Vail, Colorado.

The first injury occurred in February of 2013 during the World Cup series. Vonn was just 0.12 seconds behind eventual winner Tina Maze when she crashed, tearing her ACL, MCL, and suffering a tibial fracture.

She attempted to return to competition in November but crashed during a training run at Copper Mountain, Colorado, re-tearing her ACL. After trying to rehab without surgery in order to compete in the Olympics, Vonn announced in January “my knee is just too unstable to compete at this level,” and withdrew from Sochi.

Filed to:
Lead Photo: Gregwig Loffelholz/Wikimedia
sms