Herniated Disc Treatment in NJ

If you’re living with the pain and discomfort of a herniated disc, you’re not alone. Herniated discs are one of the most common spinal conditions affecting adults in New Jersey and across the country. At the Spine and Performance Institute in Edison, NJ, Dr. Alok Sharan, MD, MHCDS specializes in advanced, minimally invasive treatments for herniated discs — including the revolutionary awake spine surgery technique that allows patients to recover faster with less risk.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Alok Sharan, MD, MHCDS, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, Deputy Editor of Clinical Spine Surgery, co-editor of the textbook Awake Spine Surgery, and author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Between each vertebra sits a spinal disc — a soft, gel-filled cushion that acts as a shock absorber and allows your spine to move freely. Each disc has two parts:

Nucleus pulposus: The soft, jelly-like center of the disc
Annulus fibrosus: The tough, fibrous outer ring that contains the nucleus

A herniated disc Understanding spine anatomy — particularly the lumbar and cervical regions — helps clarify why disc herniations cause such specific patterns of pain and weakness. (also called a slipped disc, ruptured disc, or bulging disc) occurs when the soft inner material pushes through a tear or weakness in the outer ring. This displaced material can press on nearby spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that can radiate to other parts of the body.

Herniated discs most commonly occur in the lumbar spine (lower back) and cervical spine (neck), though they can happen anywhere along the spinal column.

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

The symptoms you experience depend on the location and severity of the herniation:

Lumbar Herniated Disc (Lower Back)

Sharp or burning pain in the lower back
Sciatica — pain that radiates from the buttock down the leg
Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
Muscle weakness in the leg or foot
Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or coughing

Cervical Herniated Disc (Neck)

Neck pain, especially with movement
Pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm, or hand
Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers
Weakness in the arm or grip strength
Headaches originating at the base of the skull

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Contact Dr. Sharan immediately or go to the emergency room if you experience:

Loss of bladder or bowel control
Progressive weakness in both legs
Numbness in the saddle area (inner thighs, back of legs, around the rectum)

These symptoms may indicate cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition requiring emergency treatment.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

Several factors can contribute to disc herniation:

Age-related wear and tear: As you age, your discs lose water content and become less flexible, making them more prone to tearing
Improper lifting: Using your back muscles instead of your legs to lift heavy objects
Repetitive motions: Jobs or activities that involve frequent bending, twisting, or lifting
Trauma: A fall, car accident, or direct blow to the spine
Genetics: A family history of disc problems increases your risk
Excess body weight: Extra weight puts additional stress on the discs in your lower back
Smoking: Reduces oxygen supply to the disc, causing it to break down more quickly
Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of regular exercise weakens the muscles supporting your spine

How Is a Herniated Disc Diagnosed?

Dr. Sharan uses a comprehensive diagnostic approach:

Medical history review: Understanding your symptoms, when they started, and what makes them better or worse
Physical examination: Testing your reflexes, muscle strength, walking ability, and sensation
MRI scan: The gold standard for visualizing herniated discs and nerve compression
CT scan: Provides detailed cross-sectional images of the spine
X-rays: To rule out other causes of back pain such as fractures or alignment issues
Electromyography (EMG): To identify which nerve is being compressed

You can upload your MRI images for Dr. Sharan to review before your appointment.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

The good news is that most herniated discs improve with conservative treatment within 6 to 12 weeks. Dr. Sharan always starts with the least invasive approach:

Rest and activity modification: Brief rest period followed by gradual return to activity
Physical therapy: Targeted exercises to strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility
Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or nerve pain medications
Epidural steroid injections: Corticosteroid injected near the compressed nerve to reduce inflammation
Heat and ice therapy: To reduce pain and muscle spasms
Chiropractic care: Spinal manipulation may help some patients

When Is Surgery Needed?

Surgery may be recommended if:

Conservative treatments have failed after 6-12 weeks
You have progressive neurological symptoms (increasing weakness or numbness)
You have cauda equina syndrome
Pain is severely limiting your daily activities and quality of life
You have recurrent episodes of herniation

Surgical Options at the Spine and Performance Institute

Dr. Sharan specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, using the smallest possible incisions and advanced techniques to achieve the best outcomes. The right procedure depends on where the herniation is located.

Microdiscectomy (Lower Back)

The most common surgery for lumbar herniated discs and the standard of care for sciatica that has not improved with conservative treatment. Through a small incision (often less than 1 inch), Dr. Sharan removes the portion of the disc pressing on the nerve. Most patients go home the same day and experience significant leg pain relief soon after surgery. Microdiscectomy can be performed awake under regional anesthesia.

ACDF (Neck)

For cervical herniated discs causing arm pain, numbness, or weakness that has not improved with conservative care, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) removes the herniated disc through a small incision in the front of the neck, relieving pressure on the nerve root or spinal cord. The disc space is then stabilized with a spacer and fusion.

Awake Spine Surgery

Dr. Sharan is a pioneer in awake spine surgery, in which procedures are performed under regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia. Benefits include:

No general anesthesia — avoids its risks and after-effects, which can matter for patients with other health concerns
Faster recovery — many patients walk out of the surgery center the same day
Less post-operative pain — reduced tissue trauma
Research-backed — Dr. Sharan has published research comparing spinal and general anesthesia for spine surgery, including outcome and cost-effectiveness studies. See his awake spine publications.

Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion

Fusion is not a routine treatment for a herniated disc. It is reserved for specific situations, such as repeated herniations at the same level or a herniation combined with spinal instability. When it is needed, Dr. Sharan performs it through small incisions using specialized instruments and real-time imaging guidance.

Why Choose Dr. Sharan for Herniated Disc Treatment?

Board-certified spine surgeon with extensive experience in minimally invasive techniques
Pioneer in awake spine surgery — published researcher and international lecturer
Conservative-first approach — surgery is recommended only when necessary
Cutting-edge technology — latest surgical instruments and imaging
Personalized care — every treatment plan is tailored to your specific condition
Convenient Edison, NJ location — easily accessible from across New Jersey

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Yes. Many herniated discs improve within 6–12 weeks with conservative treatment such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, and epidural steroid injections. The body can reabsorb herniated disc material over time. If symptoms persist beyond that window, or if weakness or numbness gets worse, Dr. Sharan may recommend a microdiscectomy for a lumbar herniation or an ACDF for a cervical herniation.

How long does it take to recover from herniated disc surgery?

After a microdiscectomy, most patients go home the same day, return to light activities within 2–4 weeks, and resume full activities within 6–8 weeks. Recovery after ACDF or fusion takes longer. Dr. Sharan will give you a recovery plan specific to your procedure.

How long does herniated disc surgery take?

Most herniated disc surgeries take 1–2 hours, depending on the location and complexity of the herniation.

What is the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?

A bulging disc extends beyond its normal boundary, but the outer layer remains intact. A herniated disc has a tear in the outer layer that allows the inner material to leak out. Herniated discs are more likely to cause nerve compression and symptoms.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck?

Cervical herniated discs commonly cause neck pain, pain radiating down the arm, numbness or tingling in the fingers, and sometimes weakness in the hand or arm. An MRI can confirm the diagnosis.

Is awake spine surgery safe?

Yes. Awake spine surgery is performed under regional anesthesia, which avoids the risks associated with general anesthesia. Dr. Sharan has performed hundreds of awake procedures and has published research comparing regional and general anesthesia for spine surgery.

Is herniated disc surgery painful?

Modern minimally invasive techniques limit pain during and after surgery, and most patients notice significant relief from their pre-operative leg or arm pain. With awake surgery under regional anesthesia, you do not feel pain in the surgical area during the procedure.

Can I prevent herniated discs?

Not all herniated discs can be prevented, but you can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, using proper lifting techniques, practicing good posture, and avoiding smoking.