A/Prof Greg Cunningham

Assoc. Professor Greg Cunningham is a spinal surgeon with unique experience having completed both orthopaedic and neurosurgery spinal fellowship training. He is experienced in treating all manner of spinal problems including the most complex or those requiring a second opinion. Greg has a special interest in surgery of the cervical spine and the treatment of athletes spinal conditions to return them to peak performance.

Greg is passionate about delivering a tailored approach to your spinal care. With his unique training he is able to offer treatments that promote a rapid recovery and return to your activities. He utilises some of the most advanced techniques in spinal surgery available worldwide. These include motion preserving disc replacements, minimal access or “key-hole” surgery and computer-assisted 3D navigated surgery. Greg has been on the forefront of advancements in spinal technology, this includes being a part of the small team of surgeons to first introduce robotic spinal surgery in the UK.

Greg first became a specialist orthopaedic surgeon, spending 7 years training in Queensland and Western Australia. He then worked as a specialist orthopaedic surgeon in Western Australia treating a multitude of orthopaedic conditions including traumatic and sporting injuries, hip and knee arthritis with joint replacements, shoulder and upper limb conditions such as rotator cuff tears and carpal tunnel compression. His broad training and experience allows him to consider all conditions that may affect your care.

After practicing as a general orthopaedic surgeon, Greg spent 2 years abroad undertaking international sub-specialty neurosurgical and orthopaedic fellowship training in spinal surgery at some of the worlds most renowned centres. This included fellowship training at:

• Oxford University Hospital, focusing on complex paediatric spinal care and minimally invasive degenerative disc disease treatment

• The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London, the largest spinal deformity treatment unit in Europe, managing the most complex spinal conditions referred from around Europe including international level athletes in all sporting disciplines

• The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square London, one of the largest dedicated neurosurgical hospitals in Europe catering for the most complex neurosurgical patients and offering motion preserving fusionless surgery including microsurgery and disc replacement for the cervical and lumbar spine.

Greg has also undertaken focused training in New York and Switzerland to be able to deliver world class care in Western Australia.

Greg is the director of spinal surgery at Fiona Stanley Hospital Orthopaedic Department. This position focuses on delivering surgical training and teaching to doctors training to be surgeons. Greg is the Head of Department for Spinal and Neurosurgery at St John of God Murdoch hospital and the Coordinator of Spinal Surgery training for Western Australian Orthopaedic Surgery Trainees.

Greg has lectured in spinal and orthopaedic surgery at the three medical schools in Western Australia and is an Associate Clinical Professor at Curtin University where he has an ongoing involvement in many research projects that aim to improve the treatment of spinal conditions. He has worked with and developed links with research departments across the world including Oxford University Hospital, University College London, and The University of Western Australia. Patients under the care of Greg may be offered to take part in a trial or participate in the long-term monitoring of spinal health.