Lindsey Vonn's titanium knee helped her return to Olympic racing

Lindsey Vonn had a partial knee replacement with a titanium implant in April 2024 and soon returned to high-level activity. She has since won World Cup races and recorded multiple podiums while preparing to compete at the Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Lindsey Vonn is preparing to ski at the Olympics at age 41 after a partial knee replacement in April 2024 that included a titanium implant in her right knee. Before the surgery she walked with pain and a limp and had long struggled with previous knee injuries. The operation used robotic assistance to remove damaged bone and place the implant, and Vonn recovered quickly enough to resume active sports and then return to elite ski racing. Her medical team remains closely involved as she competes on the World Cup circuit. Known details: - Vonn underwent a partial knee replacement in April 2024 that included a titanium implant in her right knee. - Surgeons involved include Martin Roche (Hospital for Special Surgery, West Palm Beach) and Thomas Hackett (The Steadman Clinic, Vail), and Roche used robotic-assisted techniques developed with MAKO Surgical technology. - Before the procedure Vonn had prior serious knee damage, including torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and a fractured tibial plateau from a 2013 crash. - After surgery she quickly regained function, returned to active sports such as wakeboarding, resumed intensive physical therapy, and later returned to on-snow training. - In the current World Cup season she has recorded two wins and multiple podiums, and she leads the downhill standings. - Roche and Hackett plan to be in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, where the women's Alpine skiing events will be held at the Olympics. Summary: Vonn's recovery and return to top-level racing illustrate developments in partial knee replacement and surgical planning, including robotic assistance and implant placement. She is competing on the World Cup circuit and is preparing for the Olympic events in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where her medical team intends to observe her performance.