The American skiing legend, 41, underwent a fourth surgery on the complex tibia fracture she suffered in the women’s downhill race earlier this month, which she tried to compete in with a torn ACL.
The serious damage to her leg requires multiple procedures, while one orthopedic expert knee specialist has even claimed that some similar injuries require amputation.
Despite the severity of her injury, Vonn still appears in good spirits in hospital as she prepares to finally return home to the US following her fourth op.
The Olympian shared a behind-the-scenes video from hospital on Instagram, which shows her undergoing exercises, having her hair washed and being fed dinner while stepping up her recovery.
Vonn also included the caption: ‘Thankful for friends, family, my team and all the medical staff that are getting me back to myself…. I’m slowly coming back to life, back to basics and the simple things in life that mean the most. Smile. Laugh. Love.
The American skiing legend, 41, still appears in good spirits after undergoing four surgeries
‘My sister @kar_inthegarage made this video and it instantly made me cry and made my heart full. Love you guys’.
Vonn lost control last Sunday over the opening traverse after cutting the line too tight and was spun around in the air.
She was heard screaming out after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel before she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by a helicopter.
Last week, a defiant Vonn suggested that she will one day ski again despite fears that she could lose her left leg.
In an emotional post, the iconic skier added that she had no regrets about competing in the downhill event – she had torn her ACL in her left knee days before the crash, something she insists had no influence over what happened – and remarkably vowed to ski again one day in the future.
While she surely meant it in a recreational sense rather than trying once again to compete at the highest level, Vonn said: ‘Please, don’t feel sad. The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night I don’t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains.
‘I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.’
She also explained that her fourth surgery on her leg had been a success, saying: ‘Surgery went well today! Thankfully I will be able to finally go back to the US!
Vonn is preparing to finally return to the United States this week after her Winter Olympic crash
The skiing legend suffered a broken left leg after she crashed in the women’s downhill race
‘Once I’m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury…. But until then, as I sit here in my bed reflecting, I have a few thoughts I’d like to share…’
Vonn then insisted that she didn’t want people pitying her over the leg break.
‘I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad. Please, don’t be sad,’ she said. ‘Empathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy.
‘I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always.
‘When I think back on my crash, I didn’t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk. Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk.
‘Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds the cards.’