Failed Back Surgery Specialist in New Jersey
If a prior spine surgery has not relieved your pain — or has made symptoms worse — revision spine surgery in NJ with Dr. Alok Sharan may restore your quality of life. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) affects a significant number of spine surgery patients, often due to scar tissue, adjacent level disease, implant failure, or incomplete decompression. Dr. Sharan specializes in evaluating and correcting prior spine surgeries using his awake minimally invasive approach — no general anesthesia, less trauma to previously operated tissue, and faster recovery. He is a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon with 100+ peer-reviewed publications and is recognized by Castle Connolly as a Top Doctor in New Jersey.
Years Experience
Why Choose Dr. Sharan for Revision Surgery?
Specialized in evaluating and correcting failed prior spine surgery
Regional anesthesia — no general anesthesia, even for complex revisions
Minimally invasive techniques reduce re-operation trauma
100+ peer-reviewed publications on spine outcomes
Second opinion available — upload your MRI online
Castle Connolly Top Doctor, 201 five-star reviews
Conditions We Treat
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 revision spine surgery?
Revision spine surgery corrects problems from a previous spine operation, such as residual nerve compression, adjacent level disease, hardware failure, or post-operative instability. Dr. Sharan evaluates each patient’s prior imaging and surgical records before recommending a revision approach.
Can revision spine surgery be done awake?
In most cases, yes. Dr. Sharan uses regional anesthesia for revision procedures wherever appropriate, reducing anesthesia risk and enabling faster recovery — particularly important for patients who had complications with general anesthesia previously.
How do I know if I need revision spine surgery?
Persistent or worsening pain after a prior spine surgery, new neurological symptoms, or imaging findings of hardware failure or adjacent level degeneration may indicate a need for revision. Upload your MRI at our secure portal for a remote evaluation.
Where can I get a second opinion for failed back surgery in NJ?
Dr. Sharan offers second opinions at his Edison, NJ office at 35-37 Progress St., Suite B5. Call (732) 898-3950 or book online. New patients are typically seen within 1–2 weeks.
