ALIF Surgery NJ — Dr. Alok Sharan, MD

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in New Jersey

For patients seeking ALIF surgery in NJ, Dr. Alok Sharan at Awake Spinal Fusion in Edison offers Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with a minimally invasive, awake approach. ALIF approaches the lumbar spine from the front (abdomen) to access the disc space directly — allowing a larger implant and more complete disc removal than posterior approaches. Dr. Sharan’s awake technique eliminates the need for general anesthesia, enabling same-day discharge and a significantly faster recovery. With 20+ years of experience and 100+ peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Sharan is one of New Jersey’s most experienced lumbar spine surgeons.

Schedule a Consultation (732) 898-3950

20+

Years Experience

Benefits of Awake ALIF with Dr. Sharan

Regional anesthesia — no general anesthesia, no breathing tube

Same-day or next-day discharge in most cases

Anterior approach preserves back muscles — less post-op pain

Larger implant footprint for improved fusion rates

2–4 week recovery vs 6–12 weeks with traditional ALIF

Fellowship-trained at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases

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Conditions We Treat

01Herniated and bulging discs

02Spinal stenosis (lumbar and cervical)

03Degenerative disc disease

04ACDF — Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

05Minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery

06Sciatica and pinched nerve treatment

07Scoliosis and spinal deformity

Awake vs Traditional Surgery

Traditional Surgery	Awake Approach — Dr. Sharan
General anesthesia	Regional anesthesia — you stay awake
1–3 day hospital stay	Same-day discharge in most cases
6–12 week recovery	2–4 week recovery
Higher complication risk	Fewer complications, less blood loss
Higher cost	Lower cost, most insurance accepted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ALIF surgery?

ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) accesses the lumbar spine through the abdomen, removing the damaged disc and inserting a bone graft implant between the vertebrae to fuse them. The anterior approach avoids disrupting back muscles.

What conditions does ALIF treat?

ALIF treats degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, recurrent disc herniation, and spinal instability in the lower back. Dr. Sharan will assess your imaging to determine if ALIF or another lumbar fusion approach is most appropriate.

How long is recovery from ALIF?

With Dr. Sharan’s awake minimally invasive approach, most ALIF patients return to light activity in 2–4 weeks. Traditional ALIF recovery typically takes 6–12 weeks.