Lindsey Vonn is mourning. Her career was hanging by a thread after years of knee injuries and constant pain. But in 2024, a cutting-edge knee replacement gave her a second chance. With titanium in her leg and fierce determination in her heart, she returned to the slopes, proving she wasn’t done writing history. Now, as the world bids goodbye to the legendary medical professional who revolutionized surgery, she cannot help but send a message.
“So sad to hear of the passing of Dr. David Altchek. ” wrote Lindsey Vonn on her X account on July 20, 2025. Dr. Altcheck had performed 2,000 Tommy John surgeries and was the New York Mets’ longtime medical director. The legendary Skier, whose career was revived after a knee replacement surgery, understands what this loss means to the world. He had announced to his colleagues that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year. The Hospital for Special Surgery, where he was co-chief emeritus, announced that he had passed away at 68.
“While Dr. Altchek’s intelligence and innovations certainly benefited his patients — and sports medicine in general — his biggest impact was his warm, friendly, caring personality,” said Glenn S. Fleisig, biomechanics research director of the American Sports Medicine Institute. “Colleagues, friends, and patients all loved David and are thankful for the time we had with him.” Dr. Altchek didn’t create Tommy John surgery—that credit goes to Dr. Frank Jobe—but he dramatically streamlined and improved it.
“My first Tommy John surgery was in 1993, and I did the procedure that Dr. Jobe, Dr. Frank Jobe prescribed,” Altchek said during a 2024 interview with The Associated Press. “It took 2 1/2 hours and I was exhausted. And I realized then that we had to do something about Tommy John surgery. We had to make it a little bit easier.” His docking technique, developed in the early 1990s, made the procedure less invasive, safer, faster, and more reliable—benefits that have helped thousands of pitchers throughout his surgeries.
So sad to hear of the passing of Dr. David Altchek. https://t.co/VsbVN7VSfE
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) July 20, 2025
Though he might have never helped Vonn with her injuries, he treated high-profile pitchers, leaving a legacy in MLB. From legends to rookies, the 68-year-old had cured many of their pain from the MLB team, especially pitchers.
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