Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger lost leg after crash
brainofme
Posts: 231
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i4t5r9WYlkq94Jfd4LEMXx8NTk2A
Skier Lanzinger loses leg after horror crash
15 hours ago
OSLO (AFP) — Doctors treating Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger had to amputate his left leg below the knee on Tuesday following his horror fall during a World Cup race, the Austrian Ski Federation said.
The 27-year-old was concussed and smashed his left leg in a fall in the World Cup super-G race in Kvitfjell, Norway on Sunday.
He was air-lifted to a hospital in Oslo where he underwent two drawn-out operations.
Lanzinger was placed in an artificial coma to help treat his injuries but developed serious vascular problems as doctors struggled to re-establish blood circulation to his left foot and ankle.
"His condition was deteriorating and his life was in danger so that made it necessary to operate immediately," said Austrian doctor Thomas Holzenbein who carried out the operation alongwith Norwegian colleague Professor Lars Engebretsen.
"The amuptation was below the knee and since then Matthias Lanzinger's condition has markedly improved," he added in a statement issued by the Austrian ski federation.
Lanzinger lost his balance in the high-speed race down the treacherous Kvitfjell piste and was knocked unconscious as his head hit a ski-pole marker. He then crashed to the ground and hurtled down into the safety-netting as his leg buckled under him.
"Unfortunately, his injury was very serious because it seems that his foot was twisted several times around its own axis and this really damaged the bone and soft tissue," Engebretsen said.
Lanzinger regained consciousness on Tuesday, his doctor said.
The Austrian skier has placed just once on the podium in 37 races, winning third place in the Beaver Creek super-G in the United States in 2005.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hObY7rn7he3tVYQUm4daNovnhTPw
Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger's lower leg amputated after crash
17 hours ago
OSLO, Norway — Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger's lower left leg was amputated Tuesday because of complications from two broken bones in a crash at a World Cup race.
Lanzinger broke his shin and fibula Sunday during a super-G. The double fracture severely damaged blood vessels, hampering circulation in the 27-year-old skier's leg.
The Austrian ski federation said the surgery Monday night was only partly successful and left doctors no other option in an effort to avoid further risks.
"The circulation could not be stabilized," said doctor Thomas Hoelzenbein, who was flown in from Austria Monday to lead the operation.
Organizers of the race in Kvitfjell, Norway, were criticized because no medical helicopter was available. Lanzinger was flown to a hospital in Lillehammer in a tourist helicopter, and later was brought to Oslo.
"The lacking safety measures at these races are shocking," Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer told the Austria Presse Agency on Tuesday. "I can't understand how a World Cup race could be organized at such a low safety level."
FIS general secretary Sarah Lewis said World Cup events are the responsibility of the hosting national federation.
"The race would not have gone ahead and started if it had not satisfied all the safety requirements in terms of netting, course setting and visibility," she said. "Medical supervision is the responsibility of the Norwegian organizing committee.
"Kvitfjell is a very reliable venue in terms of staging competitions ... it is close to a hospital and relatively close to the capital city."
Austrian ski federation president Peter Schroecksnadel said it was too early to apportion blame. Hans Pum, the federation's Alpine director, called for a discussion of safety at the World Cup circuit.
"We should clear this case soon and bring all relevant parties together to discuss speed, equipment and course preparation, as the safety and the health of the athletes come first," Pum said.
Lanzinger, who started 30th, crashed near the finish after hitting a gate. The race, won by teammate Georg Streitberger, was interrupted for more than 30 minutes.
Lanzinger's career best World Cup result was third at a super-G in Beaver Creek, Colo., in December 2005.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article3485259.ece
Top skier's leg amputation sparks row over his medical treatment
Fran Yeoman and agencies
There was renewed controversy in the skiing world today after Matthias Lanzinger, the Austrian skier, had his leg amputated following his horrific crash on Sunday.
The accident in Norway, and its tragic consequences for the 27-year-old athlete, has sparked criticism of the safety measures in place on the World Cup circuit.
After crashing dramatically during his super-G race, Mr Lanzinger had to be taken to hospital in a tourist helicopter because no medical helicopter was available.
He was taken first to Lillehammer, before being moved to Oslo.
The double fracture in his left leg hampered blood circulation, and the Austrian ski federation (ASF) said that two operations yesterday had been only partially successful and it had been impossible to stabilise circulation. Mr Lanzinger's lower leg was therefore amputated earlier today.
Doctors said that he might have died without the operation.
"An immediate operation was necessary due to an extreme deterioration in his general situation and the threat of a fatality,” said Dr Thomas Hoelzenbein, an Austrian vascular specialist who carried out the surgery in Oslo. “As a result of the surgery his condition has improved considerably. There is currently no acute risk to his life.”
His comments came in a statement issued today by the ASF, who added that Mr Lanzinger was in a critical but stable condition.
Organisers of the race in Kvitfjell, Norway, were criticised over the absence of a medical helicopter.
“The lacking safety measures at these races are shocking,” Alfred Gusenbauer, the Austrian Chancellor, was quoted as saying by the Austria Press Agency on Tuesday.
“I can’t understand how a World Cup race could be organised at such a low safety level.”
Reinhold Lopatka, the Austrian sports secretary, said the accident showed the importance of immediate medical care being available at races.
“Organisers who fail here, should be held liable,” Mr Lopatka told the APA.
Peter Schroecksnadel, president of the ASF, said it was too early to apportion blame.
“We won’t take any steps until we exactly know all the circumstances”, he said.
But Hans Pum, the federation’s alpine director, called for a discussion on safety at the World Cup circuit. “We should clear this case soon and bring all relevant parties together to discuss speed, equipment and course preparation, as the safety and the health of the athletes come first,” he said.
In a separate statement today, the ASF said: "It will be the task of the Austrian ski federation to examine meticulously all the circumstances that led up to the accident and the amputation in order to provide the best possible support for Lanzinger."
“The Austrian ski federation will of course do everything it can to ensure Matthias Lanzinger the best possible rehabilitation and to support him in his private and professional future.”
Mr Lanzinger, who started the race in 30th position, lost his balance and crashed near the finish after hitting a gate. He was knocked unconscious as his head hit a ski-pole marker and was carried down the slope on a sledge before being flown to hospital.
His career best in the World Cup was a third place finish at a super-G race in Colorado in December 2005.
....very tragic. the crash looked really ugly. his leg was twisted around several times because the ski wouldn't fall off the boot. terrible for anybody who looses a body part, but for a professional skier, i imagine it to be even worse.
Skier Lanzinger loses leg after horror crash
15 hours ago
OSLO (AFP) — Doctors treating Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger had to amputate his left leg below the knee on Tuesday following his horror fall during a World Cup race, the Austrian Ski Federation said.
The 27-year-old was concussed and smashed his left leg in a fall in the World Cup super-G race in Kvitfjell, Norway on Sunday.
He was air-lifted to a hospital in Oslo where he underwent two drawn-out operations.
Lanzinger was placed in an artificial coma to help treat his injuries but developed serious vascular problems as doctors struggled to re-establish blood circulation to his left foot and ankle.
"His condition was deteriorating and his life was in danger so that made it necessary to operate immediately," said Austrian doctor Thomas Holzenbein who carried out the operation alongwith Norwegian colleague Professor Lars Engebretsen.
"The amuptation was below the knee and since then Matthias Lanzinger's condition has markedly improved," he added in a statement issued by the Austrian ski federation.
Lanzinger lost his balance in the high-speed race down the treacherous Kvitfjell piste and was knocked unconscious as his head hit a ski-pole marker. He then crashed to the ground and hurtled down into the safety-netting as his leg buckled under him.
"Unfortunately, his injury was very serious because it seems that his foot was twisted several times around its own axis and this really damaged the bone and soft tissue," Engebretsen said.
Lanzinger regained consciousness on Tuesday, his doctor said.
The Austrian skier has placed just once on the podium in 37 races, winning third place in the Beaver Creek super-G in the United States in 2005.
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hObY7rn7he3tVYQUm4daNovnhTPw
Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger's lower leg amputated after crash
17 hours ago
OSLO, Norway — Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger's lower left leg was amputated Tuesday because of complications from two broken bones in a crash at a World Cup race.
Lanzinger broke his shin and fibula Sunday during a super-G. The double fracture severely damaged blood vessels, hampering circulation in the 27-year-old skier's leg.
The Austrian ski federation said the surgery Monday night was only partly successful and left doctors no other option in an effort to avoid further risks.
"The circulation could not be stabilized," said doctor Thomas Hoelzenbein, who was flown in from Austria Monday to lead the operation.
Organizers of the race in Kvitfjell, Norway, were criticized because no medical helicopter was available. Lanzinger was flown to a hospital in Lillehammer in a tourist helicopter, and later was brought to Oslo.
"The lacking safety measures at these races are shocking," Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer told the Austria Presse Agency on Tuesday. "I can't understand how a World Cup race could be organized at such a low safety level."
FIS general secretary Sarah Lewis said World Cup events are the responsibility of the hosting national federation.
"The race would not have gone ahead and started if it had not satisfied all the safety requirements in terms of netting, course setting and visibility," she said. "Medical supervision is the responsibility of the Norwegian organizing committee.
"Kvitfjell is a very reliable venue in terms of staging competitions ... it is close to a hospital and relatively close to the capital city."
Austrian ski federation president Peter Schroecksnadel said it was too early to apportion blame. Hans Pum, the federation's Alpine director, called for a discussion of safety at the World Cup circuit.
"We should clear this case soon and bring all relevant parties together to discuss speed, equipment and course preparation, as the safety and the health of the athletes come first," Pum said.
Lanzinger, who started 30th, crashed near the finish after hitting a gate. The race, won by teammate Georg Streitberger, was interrupted for more than 30 minutes.
Lanzinger's career best World Cup result was third at a super-G in Beaver Creek, Colo., in December 2005.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article3485259.ece
Top skier's leg amputation sparks row over his medical treatment
Fran Yeoman and agencies
There was renewed controversy in the skiing world today after Matthias Lanzinger, the Austrian skier, had his leg amputated following his horrific crash on Sunday.
The accident in Norway, and its tragic consequences for the 27-year-old athlete, has sparked criticism of the safety measures in place on the World Cup circuit.
After crashing dramatically during his super-G race, Mr Lanzinger had to be taken to hospital in a tourist helicopter because no medical helicopter was available.
He was taken first to Lillehammer, before being moved to Oslo.
The double fracture in his left leg hampered blood circulation, and the Austrian ski federation (ASF) said that two operations yesterday had been only partially successful and it had been impossible to stabilise circulation. Mr Lanzinger's lower leg was therefore amputated earlier today.
Doctors said that he might have died without the operation.
"An immediate operation was necessary due to an extreme deterioration in his general situation and the threat of a fatality,” said Dr Thomas Hoelzenbein, an Austrian vascular specialist who carried out the surgery in Oslo. “As a result of the surgery his condition has improved considerably. There is currently no acute risk to his life.”
His comments came in a statement issued today by the ASF, who added that Mr Lanzinger was in a critical but stable condition.
Organisers of the race in Kvitfjell, Norway, were criticised over the absence of a medical helicopter.
“The lacking safety measures at these races are shocking,” Alfred Gusenbauer, the Austrian Chancellor, was quoted as saying by the Austria Press Agency on Tuesday.
“I can’t understand how a World Cup race could be organised at such a low safety level.”
Reinhold Lopatka, the Austrian sports secretary, said the accident showed the importance of immediate medical care being available at races.
“Organisers who fail here, should be held liable,” Mr Lopatka told the APA.
Peter Schroecksnadel, president of the ASF, said it was too early to apportion blame.
“We won’t take any steps until we exactly know all the circumstances”, he said.
But Hans Pum, the federation’s alpine director, called for a discussion on safety at the World Cup circuit. “We should clear this case soon and bring all relevant parties together to discuss speed, equipment and course preparation, as the safety and the health of the athletes come first,” he said.
In a separate statement today, the ASF said: "It will be the task of the Austrian ski federation to examine meticulously all the circumstances that led up to the accident and the amputation in order to provide the best possible support for Lanzinger."
“The Austrian ski federation will of course do everything it can to ensure Matthias Lanzinger the best possible rehabilitation and to support him in his private and professional future.”
Mr Lanzinger, who started the race in 30th position, lost his balance and crashed near the finish after hitting a gate. He was knocked unconscious as his head hit a ski-pole marker and was carried down the slope on a sledge before being flown to hospital.
His career best in the World Cup was a third place finish at a super-G race in Colorado in December 2005.
....very tragic. the crash looked really ugly. his leg was twisted around several times because the ski wouldn't fall off the boot. terrible for anybody who looses a body part, but for a professional skier, i imagine it to be even worse.
Vienna, Austria 2006
Munich, Germany 2007
Munich, Germany 2007
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
Just imagine the force neccessary to twist your leg around like that.
I'm surprised it didn't just fall off, everything inside must have been completely shredded.
yeah, skiing is just a very dangerous sport. they just have so much speed - far too much, if you ask me - and there is no safety zone at all.
as you can read in the articles, there are now a lot of discussions why there wasn't a mediacal helicopter there, and if his leg could have been safed if the transportation had been faster. (your leg dies after six hours, if the blood circulation isn't stable - his first operation had been after five hours, very late) but doctors say he might have lost it anyway because of the severe injuries.
really can't imagine waking up and realising that there's just one leg left.
Munich, Germany 2007
Hope he recovers.
My condolences to Matthias.
this must be so hard for him... I'm so sorry for him, it's just awful.
after the amputation he is in good physical condition and because of that he will come back home to austria today.
of course he was very shocked by the news about the amputation. the people telling him said that it was very emotional, but that he is strong.
meanwhile his mother has asked a lawyer to look into the cause of the injury and the circumstances after his crash. the lawyer has even confiscated Lanzingers amputated leg.
Munich, Germany 2007
In the last week there were many debates about the tragedy. There was a lot of criticism for the organisation in Norway (no medical helicopter there) and the FIS, and especially FIS director Gian-Franco Kasper. The other Austrian skiers were very emotional and shocked by the accident. Some skiers also said that they never knew that there are no exact rules that a medical helicopter should be there.
Yesterday Matthias Lanzinger gave his first interviews for tv and press in the hospital. Of course he still looked pale, but he impressed a lot of people with his strength. He doesn’t blame anybody, because he feels that everything was tried to save his leg. He said that he is happy that he is still alive, and that it was destiny that he lost his leg, and that he can live with that. He said that he always had to fight in his life and carrier and that that will help him on his fight back into life. He was very positive although he said that the past week seemed very long and he had a lot of pain. He is looking forward to rehabilitation and is happy to have his family and girlfriend around. He said something should be done about the safety issues but this is not his job, and there are people who are better informed about those things than he is.
Some pictures:
http://www.oe24.at/zeitung/sport/ski_alpin/article261718.ece?service=popUp&oewa=1#
Some short articles in english:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ibj2OTI8XEmqZP92k2x5kTDx5e1w
http://www.skiracing.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6364&Itemid=2
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=a4c541c7-3276-484b-8df5-8301d513e22b
Munich, Germany 2007
video: http://www.krone.tv/krone/S160/object_id__98242/kmwebtv/index.html
Munich, Germany 2007