Lumbar Spine Surgery in New Jersey
If you need lumbar spine surgery in NJ, Dr. Alok Sharan at Awake Spinal Fusion in Edison, New Jersey performs lumbar procedures using a pioneering awake technique — no general anesthesia, same-day discharge, and faster recovery. As a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with over 20 years of experience and 201 five-star Google reviews, Dr. Sharan is one of the most trusted lumbar spine surgeons in New Jersey.
Years Experience
Why Choose Awake Lumbar Spine Surgery?
No general anesthesia — regional (spinal) anesthesia eliminates intubation risks
Same-day discharge — most patients go home within hours of surgery
Faster recovery — return to desk work in 1-2 weeks vs. 6-12 weeks traditional
Less blood loss and fewer complications than traditional open lumbar surgery
Opioid-sparing protocol — minimal narcotic use after surgery
Real-time communication with your surgeon during the procedure
201 Google reviews at 5.0 stars — among the highest-rated spine surgeons in NJ
Lumbar Procedures We Perform
Dr. Sharan performs all lumbar spine surgeries using minimally invasive techniques under regional anesthesia at our Edison, NJ facility:
Lumbar Spinal Fusion — Stabilizes the lower spine for patients with spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, or spinal instability. Dr. Sharan performs TLIF, PLIF, and lateral lumbar fusion approaches depending on your specific condition.
Lumbar Laminectomy & Discectomy — Removes bone or disc material compressing spinal nerves. Ideal for spinal stenosis and herniated discs in the lumbar spine.
Lumbar Decompression — Relieves pressure on the spinal cord and nerves in the lower back, treating sciatica, pinched nerves, and stenosis without full fusion.
Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement — Preserves spinal motion by replacing a damaged disc with an artificial device, an alternative to fusion for select patients.
Conditions Treated with Lumbar Spine Surgery
Dr. Sharan evaluates all non-surgical options first — including physical therapy, epidural injections, and medication management. When conservative treatment fails after 6-12 weeks, lumbar spine surgery may be recommended for:
Herniated Disc — disc material pressing on spinal nerves causing leg pain, numbness, or weakness
Spinal Stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots
Degenerative Disc Disease — age-related breakdown of lumbar discs causing chronic lower back pain
Sciatica — radiating leg pain from a compressed sciatic nerve in the lumbar spine
Spondylolisthesis — a vertebra slipping forward over the one below it, causing instability and nerve compression
Pinched Nerve — compressed nerve root in the lower back causing radiating pain or numbness
Chronic Lower Back Pain — persistent pain that has not responded to 6+ weeks of conservative care
Awake vs. Traditional Lumbar Surgery
Traditional lumbar spine surgery requires general anesthesia — which means intubation, ventilator support, and a 2-4 day hospital stay. Dr. Sharan’s awake spinal fusion technique uses regional (spinal) anesthesia, the same type used in cesarean sections, to numb the surgical area while you remain conscious.
With over 100 peer-reviewed publications on awake spine surgery, Dr. Sharan has more published research on this technique than any other spine surgeon. His outcomes data shows equivalent or superior results compared to traditional lumbar surgery — with significantly less pain, lower complication rates, and dramatically faster recovery.
As Deputy Editor of Clinical Spine Surgery, one of the world’s leading peer-reviewed spine journals, Dr. Sharan is recognized as a national authority on minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery techniques.
About Dr. Alok Sharan — Your NJ Lumbar Spine Surgeon
Dr. Alok Sharan, MD, MHCDS is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon and fellowship-trained specialist at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. He has dedicated his career to advancing minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery and is the pioneer of the awake spinal fusion technique.
Board-Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Fellowship-Trained at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases
Deputy Editor, Clinical Spine Surgery (peer-reviewed journal)
100+ Peer-Reviewed Published Studies on Spine Surgery
Castle Connolly Top Doctor & NY Magazine Best Doctor
201 Google Reviews — 5.0 Star Rating
20+ Years of Spine Surgery Experience
Serving All of New Jersey
Our office is located in Edison, NJ — centrally located and easily accessible from across the state. We welcome lumbar spine surgery patients from:
Central NJ: Edison, New Brunswick, Woodbridge, Plainfield
Northern NJ: Morristown, Parsippany, Morris County, Bergen County
Union County: Cranford, Westfield, Rahway
New York: NYC / Manhattan
Schedule a Lumbar Spine Surgery Consultation
If you are experiencing lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, or weakness that has not improved with conservative treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Alok Sharan. He will review your MRI, perform a thorough examination, and discuss all options — both non-surgical and surgical — to find the best path forward for you.
You can also upload your MRI for a free review before your visit.
Awake Spinal Fusion — Dr. Alok Sharan, MD, MHCDS
35-37 Progress St., Suite B5, Edison, NJ 08820
Phone: (732) 898-3950
