Lindsey Vonn has acknowledged that managing the pain has proved challenging, revealing on social media that she has now had her fifth operation following her Winter Olympics crash. The 41-year-old arrived back in the United States this week after spending more than a week receiving treatment at an Italian hospital.

The American skier collided with a gate at considerable speed merely 13 seconds into the women’s downhill event, causing a complicated tibia fracture that necessitated immediate medical attention. Following initial treatment on the mountainside, she was taken to hospital for additional assessment and care.

After returning home, Vonn underwent a further procedure – her first on American soil. Posting on X, she said: “Just a quick update… My last surgery went well. It took a little over 6 hours. I have been recovering from the surgery but pain has been hard to manage. Making slow progress but I hope I can be out of the hospital soon. Thank you all for the support,” followed by prayer and love heart emojis.

She remains confined to bed and states the pain has been challenging to control, Whilst Vonn faces an extensive recovery period, she could potentially return to skiing within 12 months.

After her fourth operation in Italy at the weekend, Vonn journeyed home and detailed the challenges she encountered during transit.

The Olympic champion has been sharing her recovery journey on social media and has also discussed the loss of her cherished dog, Leo, whilst she was abroad.

“This has been an incredibly hard few days. Probably the hardest [of my] life,” she penned in an update, accompanied by several photos of Leo. I still have not come to terms that he is gone. He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind.

“As I [laid] in my hospital bed the day after my crash, we said goodbye to my big boy. I had lost so much that meant something to me in such a short amount of time. I can’t believe it.”

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