Livvy Dunne Faces Potential Career-Ending Injury Amid Final College Season

LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, a major name in NCAA sports and social media sensation, revealed that she’s dealing with an "avulsion fracture of my patella," which caused her to miss her senior night event last Friday. The injury comes as a devastating blow during what’s supposed to be the grand finale of her collegiate gymnastics career.

In an emotional Instagram post, the 22-year-old New Jersey native expressed her heartbreak, stating, "It absolutely breaks my heart not to get the opportunity to compete in the (Pete Maravich Assembly Center) one last time." The injury has kept her out of competition since January 24, when LSU faced Arkansas.

Though the typical recovery period for such an injury spans three to six months, there’s still hope she might return for the NCAA championships next month. LSU's gymnastics program is no small deal, and Dunne’s absence has been felt, even as the No. 2-ranked Tigers secured a 198.575-197.175 win over No. 10 Georgia during their final home meet of the season.

For those unfamiliar with an avulsion fracture, the Cleveland Clinic defines it as an injury where "a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone." Sounds painful, right?

The Tigers are now gearing up for their next meet at Auburn this Friday, followed by the SEC Championships on March 22. After that, the national regionals are slated for April 2-6, and the NCAA championships, where LSU will defend their title, will take place from April 17-19 in Fort Worth.

Dunne, one of the NCAA’s top earners through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, had opted to return for a fifth year before this setback. She boasts a massive following on social media, with millions of fans tracking her every move. Off the mat, she’s also making headlines for her relationship with LSU alum and MLB rising star Paul Skenes, who was crowned National League Rookie of the Year in 2024.

Though her gymnastics future may hang in the balance, Dunne’s influence in sports and pop culture isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Here’s hoping she makes a speedy recovery and brings her iconic energy back to the competition floor.