Surgeon puts Paralympian 'back together a second time'

Australian Paralympian Emma Booth has reunited with the surgeon who saved her life 12 years ago, thanking him for "putting her back together a second time".

Her successful treatment by Associate Professor John Cunningham at Epworth Richmond hospital in Melbourne has given her hope of resuming her international career as an equestrian athlete.

The 34-year-old was first injured in 2013, in a car accident that damaged her spinal cord and caused paraplegia.

Rising above that challenging time, she went on to compete at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games in para-dressage.

However, she said she had been recently experiencing "constant discomfort and pain" that was impacting on her physical and mental health.

"I was dealing with severe lower back pain and persistent nerve pain in my left leg," she said.

"The pain made it impossible to sleep, leaving me completely exhausted and feeling like a zombie.

"I began to think, this is how my life will be from now on. I felt resigned to living in constant discomfort and pain."

After 18 months of consulting various specialists, Emma decided to reconnect with A/Prof Cunningham, her original spinal surgeon.

After extensive scans and further consultation, he determined there was bone pushing on a nerve below her existing fusion, likely due to the ongoing load on that area of her spine.

Emma had surgery at Epworth Richmond just two weeks later, which included a second spinal fusion to decompress her pinched nerves and insert rods and screws to stabilise her spine to her pelvis.

"When I made the decision to get it done, one part of me thought, 'I really don't want to have to go through another major spinal surgery'," she said.

"It was daunting and confronting. But ultimately, once I made the decision, I wanted to get it over and done with.

"The first couple of weeks following surgery were challenging. Physically, it was a struggle as I was very restricted and in discomfort, but now I am starting to feel more like myself.

"It is a big relief.

"John Cunningham not only saved my life years ago, enabling me to live fully and achieve success as a world-class competitor, but he has now helped to greatly improve my quality of life for my future.

"I am extremely grateful to John and everybody at Epworth for putting me back together again."

Emma is now focused on recovering in time for qualifying events for the next World Championships.

A/Prof Cunningham said this was another example of the "unbelievable determination" he had witnessed following Emma's initial surgery.

"All surgeons who deal with trauma get to know their patients at one of the lowest points of their lives," he said.

"To see Emma bounce back and compete in two Paralympics after her accident is an inspiration to any athlete, and especially any who have had a spinal cord injury."

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