Italy’s Olympic Alpine skiing medallist Federica Brignone has immediately resumed rehabilitation following a “fully successful” knee surgery on Tuesday (29 July), the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) reported.
The reigning overall World Cup champion, known as the ‘Tiger from La Salle’, suffered fractures to the tibia and fibula in her left leg last April after crashing during the second run of the giant slalom race at the Italian Alpine Ski Championships in Val di Fassa.
Brignone underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis on the same knee at the “La Madonnina” clinic in Milan to assess the condition of the joint nearly four months after her initial operation on 3 April.
Dr Andrea Panzeri, President of the FISI Medical Commission, explained that the procedure was designed to enhance mobility in the joint, which had reached 110° of flexion: “The operation was specifically planned to speed up recovery and allow her to train more effectively,” he said.
The 35-year-old skier has already returned to physiotherapy at JMedical in Turin, with her sights set on a comeback ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
“A temporary step back (back on crutches) to take many steps forward soon. Back to work!” she posted on her Instagram account on Wednesday (30 July), showing the scars on her left leg.