TIME Magazine reports on Lindsey Vonn’s attempt at an Olympic comeback after two ACL tears, an MCL tear, shinbone fractures, and nine knee surgeries. 

Vonn connected with Martin M. Roche, knee surgeon at HSS Florida, who recommended a robotic-­assisted partial replacement for Vonn’s right knee. Vonn’s major pathology was cartilage loss on her lateral, or outer, side. A minimally invasive procedure would keep her ACL, her medial meniscus and the cartilage on the inner part of her knee intact. This would aid her post surgery proprioception, or “sixth sense” ability to be aware of the movement and location of her knee joint for improved stability and balance.

Through a CAT scan, Dr. Roche built a virtual 3D model of Vonn’s damaged knee. Before the April 2024 surgery, he used it to size the titanium implant. In the operating room, Roche guided the robotic arm that removes damaged bone and cartilage. “It’s almost coloring within the lines,” he says. “I can get down to millimeter precision.” He didn’t touch any muscle, ligaments, or tendons. “Recovery is much faster because we haven’t traumatized or damaged any soft tissue,” he said.

As the world’s best winter athletes gather in February for a celebration of speed, acrobatics, and artistry on snow and ice, Vonn’s attempt to earn another Olympic medal will likely be the buzziest story of the Games. 

Read the full article at TIME.com.