Lindsey Vonn makes her comeback this weekend. © APA/afp / JASON CONNOLLY

Lindsey Vonn and the Health Risk

Lindsey Vonn has won 82 races in the Ski World Cup because she always chose the riskiest line. In 2019, the US daredevil retired because her body was battered. A partial knee prosthesis has now enabled the 40-year-old to make a comeback. This weekend, after a break of almost six years, Vonn will be in the start house for the women's classic in St. Moritz. Knee specialist Dr. Christian Hoser explains the risks of the undertaking.

17 December 2024

From: apa

There has already been a lot of discussion about the sense and nonsense of Vonn's return. "If you look at life purely in terms of the knee, then it doesn't make sense. But there are other aspects of life that are more important to Lindsey," said Hoser from the renowned private clinic in Hochrum. "We met her when she was 18 years old, and fast skiing is her life."

Vonn suffered numerous serious knee injuries during her career, including cruciate ligament tears in both knees. Her body was "broken beyond repair," she said when she retired in 2019. Because there is hardly any cartilage left on the outside of her right knee, her everyday life was also affected. Surgery did not bring any improvement, and in April 2024 she had a partial prosthesis fitted.

The advantage of this miniature version is that the partially natural knee leaves more sensitivity and mobility. "It's much easier to get into a deep bend with a half knee," explains Hoser. But Vonn is still at risk of tearing ligaments, for example.

Vonn a "guinea pig"

According to Hoser, it is fundamentally possible that something around the implant could break and cause a serious injury. "But the probability is not much higher than with a 'normal' knee. A fracture around a new knee is extremely rare." The surgeon specifically recommends that patients with a knee replacement take part in sporting activities. Swimming, cycling, hiking, strength training or Pilates are even beneficial. "But when it comes to sports that involve impact, strong pressure forces and high speeds, the implant will wear out sooner than it would otherwise."

In April 2024, Vonn had a partial prosthesis fitted. © APA / CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

In the Masters ski circus for pensioners, 40 percent of the participants would ski with artificial joints. Surgeons like Hoser would then swallow because the implants are not made for this. Racing and jumping at 40 kilometers per hour on icy World Cup slopes at the age of 130 is a different league. "We don't know anything about racing skiing on this scale. Lindsey is the guinea pig," admits Hoser. At the same time, he is convinced that the "new knee" will be able to withstand it in the short term. "The earlier wear and tear is caused by thousands upon thousands of blows, not hundreds. You don't have to worry about something happening immediately."

We know pretty well what was done to Vonn's knee because she posted videos from the operating room herself. First, a robot ground down three millimeters of bone on the outside of the knee. Then a doctor put a titanium cap on the outer roll of the femur. A titanium plate was attached to the tibial plateau. Pins for the titanium parts were then pressed into the cement smeared between the bone and the titanium.

Vonn feels like 25

Since then, Vonn has trained intensively in order to get back into the World Cup with a wildcard and a relatively low starting number of 30. In lower-class races, she hoarded missing FIS points, which are required for the (more dangerous) speed disciplines. The first endurance test on a World Cup piste was also successful. Vonn was fast; as a forerunner in Beaver Creek, according to unofficial stopwatches, she probably didn't lose a second to downhill winner Cornelia Hütter.

Vonn hasn't felt this good in 15 years. © APA/afp / JASON CONNOLLY

Even more important for her: Her knee held up - and apparently held up very well: "I can't even begin to describe how big a difference it is when you can ski without pain. This is a whole new world for me and I haven't felt this good in 15 years. I'm happy to be back," said Vonn.