Featured Image: Federica Brignone celebrates her giant slalom gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Photo: GEPA
Federica Brignone underwent successful surgery Tuesday, Aug. 25, to remove the plate and screws from her left knee, months after completing a remarkable comeback from a serious leg injury by winning two gold medals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The procedure also confirmed that Brignone did not have a meniscus tear and would not require additional treatment.
According to SkiNews.ch, citing the Italian Winter Sports Federation, or FISI, Brignone underwent the operation under general anesthesia at La Madonnina hospital in Milan. Andrea Panzeri, president of FISI’s medical commission, removed the fixation hardware inserted following her April 2025 injury.
“The arthroscopy performed on her knee confirmed the expected findings,” Panzeri said. “The plate and screws were removed, and no further treatment was necessary.”
Brignone will begin physiotherapy immediately and is expected to resume physical activity gradually within several weeks.
Continuing Pain Led to Surgery
Before the procedure, Brignone explained that her recovery had continued to progress despite persistent discomfort.
“My leg continues to improve, but unfortunately I still have pain when doing certain activities and while skiing,” Brignone wrote.
After consulting with her medical team, the 36-year-old decided to have the hardware removed and the surrounding area cleaned. Doctors also planned to examine her meniscus and perform additional surgery if they discovered a tear.
However, the arthroscopy found no tear, eliminating the need for further treatment.
The operation temporarily interrupts Brignone’s preparation for the 2026-27 season. Still, the successful removal of the hardware and confirmation that no meniscus treatment was necessary provide encouraging news as she continues her recovery.
Another Step in a Long Recovery
Brignone suffered the original injury during the giant slalom at the Italian national championships in Val di Fassa on April 3, 2025.
The Italian star sustained displaced fractures of the tibial plateau and fibular head in her left leg, along with a cruciate ligament tear. The damage required surgery and began an extensive rehabilitation process that placed her participation in the home Olympics in serious doubt.
Brignone nevertheless made enough progress to return to competition shortly before the Milano Cortina Games. However, pain in the injured leg persisted after her comeback and eventually caused her to end the remainder of her 2025-26 season early.
She later acknowledged uncertainty about whether she would continue her career, saying she wanted to give her body the necessary time before making that decision.
From Serious Injury to Two Olympic Golds
Only 315 days after suffering the injury, Brignone won the Olympic super-G in Cortina. She later added giant slalom gold, completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in alpine ski racing history.
Her victories made Brignone one of the defining stories of the Milano Cortina Games. However, winning two Olympic gold medals did not mean her injured leg had fully healed.
Continued pain ultimately led to Tuesday’s procedure. With the hardware successfully removed, no meniscus tear found and physiotherapy beginning immediately, Brignone can now start the next phase of her rehabilitation.
Sources: SkiNews.ch, citing FISI; Federica Brignone/Instagram
About the Author: SR Staff Report
