In this photo taken Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, U.S. ski racer Lindsey Vonn attends a press conference in Schladming, Austria. Vonn crashed during the super-G at the Alpine Skiing world championships Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 and has been taken by helicopter to a hospital from the world championships after apparently injuring her right knee. The American lost balance on her right leg while landing after a jump. Her ski came off immediately, and Vonn slid off course and hit a gate before coming to a standstill. Vonn received medical treatment on the slope for 12 minutes before going to the hospital. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
In this photo taken Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, U.S. ski racer Lindsey Vonn attends a press conference in Schladming, Austria. Vonn crashed during the super-G at the Alpine Skiing world championships Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 and has been taken by helicopter to a hospital from the world championships after apparently injuring her right knee. The American lost balance on her right leg while landing after a jump. Her ski came off immediately, and Vonn slid off course and hit a gate before coming to a standstill. Vonn received medical treatment on the slope for 12 minutes before going to the hospital. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
United States??Lindsey?Vonn is airlifted after crashing during the women's super-G course, at the Alpine skiing world championships in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Feb.5, 2013. Lindsey Vonn has been helicoptered to hospital from the Alpine skiing world championships after crashing and apparently hurting her right knee in the super-G race. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
United States??Lindsey?Vonn speeds down the course during the women's super-G course, at the Alpine skiing world championships in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Feb.5, 2013. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Laura Kildow sister United States'?Lindsey?Vonn reacts after Vonn crashed during the women's super-G at the Alpine skiing world championships in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Feb.5,2013. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)
United States??Lindsey?Vonn is airlifted after crashing during the women's super-G course, at the Alpine skiing world championships in Schladming, Austria, Tuesday, Feb.5, 2013. Vonn crashed during the super-G and has been taken by helicopter to a hospital from the world championships after apparently injuring her right knee. The American lost balance on her right leg while landing after a jump. Her ski came off immediately, and Vonn slid off course and hit a gate before coming to a standstill. Vonn received medical treatment on the slope for 12 minutes before going to the hospital. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) ? Lindsey Vonn will head home for surgery in Colorado next week after tearing two ligaments in her right knee and breaking a bone in her lower leg in a crash at the world championships.
Vonn said Wednesday that she plans to compete in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, which start in 12 months. She was released from the hospital late Tuesday and returned to the team hotel.
"I am grateful to my fans for the outpouring of support, which has really helped me stay positive," Vonn said in a statement. "I can assure you that I will work as hard as humanly possible to be ready to represent my country next year in Sochi."
The Olympic downhill champion will have surgery next week in Vail, Colo. Because of intense media attention, neither she nor the U.S. Ski Team would say when she's leaving Austria.
"She'll be heading back to Vail (Colorado) and I will be doing surgery on her knee early next week," team physician William Sterett told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
"Lindsey is doing well," said Sterett, who has been treating Vonn since her youth. "She's in good spirits."
Vonn, who was airlifted to the hospital, tore her anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in her right knee. The broken bone was described as a lateral tibial plateau fracture.
"The fracture is called an impaction fracture," Sterett said. "It should not require any surgery. It just needs to be non-weight on crutches."
Sterett would not set a return date to skiing for Vonn until after the surgery, but other doctors believe she will be sidelined for up to eight months.
The U.S. team said the four-time overall champion will be back in time for the next World Cup season.
The accident happened after Vonn landed a jump in the opening super-G race at the championships. As she hit the ground, her right leg gave way and she spun forward. She ended up on her back as she smashed through a gate.
"The hospital staff did an excellent job with X-rays, MRI," Sterett said. "She had very good care and they were very, very helpful."
Sterett said Vonn was "a little banged up, and sore everywhere."
"She's intently focusing on the next step and the next step now is getting from point A to point B, with point B being next season," he said. "She's determined and upbeat."
Sterett left open the possibility of Vonn requiring more than one surgery, saying that with these types of injuries "that's always a possibility."
However, the plan for now was only one operation.
"I want to say thank you to the amazing medical staff that cared for me," Vonn said. "I plan on returning to Vail as soon as I can to have the necessary surgeries."
Associated Presslevi johnston 2013 srt viper scott walker recall fisker atlantic social darwinism jamie lynn spears wisconsin recall election
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.