Spinal Stenosis NJ — Expert Diagnosis & Treatment in Edison

Spinal stenosis is one of the leading causes of chronic back pain and leg symptoms in adults over 50 — and one of the most treatable conditions Dr. Alok Sharan sees at The Spine and Performance Institute in Edison, NJ. Whether your stenosis is causing lower back pain, leg cramping with walking, or neck and arm symptoms, Dr. Sharan offers a full range of conservative and surgical options to relieve nerve compression and restore your quality of life.

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal — the bony channel that houses and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots. As the canal narrows, it compresses nearby nerves, producing pain, numbness, weakness, and other symptoms depending on the location. Stenosis most commonly develops in the lumbar (lower back) spine, though cervical (neck) stenosis is also common and can produce more serious neurological symptoms.

Stenosis is typically a gradual process driven by age-related changes in the spine, though it can develop more quickly following injury or in patients with an inherited predisposition to a narrow spinal canal.

Common Causes of Spinal Stenosis

• Degenerative disc disease — As discs lose height and hydration with age, the spinal canal narrows and facet joints thicken, reducing space for the nerves.
• Bone spurs (osteophytes) — The body forms bone spurs in response to arthritis and disc degeneration; these can protrude into the spinal canal and compress nerve roots.
• Herniated discs — Disc material that pushes into the spinal canal can directly compress the spinal cord or exiting nerve roots.
• Thickened ligaments — The ligamentum flavum, which lines the back of the spinal canal, can thicken and buckle inward with age, contributing to stenosis.
• Spondylolisthesis — A slipped vertebra reduces the diameter of the spinal canal at the level of slippage.
• Congenital stenosis — Some patients are born with a naturally narrower spinal canal, making them more susceptible to symptoms even with mild degenerative changes.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

Symptoms vary depending on whether stenosis is in the lumbar or cervical spine:

• Neurogenic claudication — The hallmark of lumbar stenosis: aching, cramping, or weakness in the legs and buttocks that worsens with walking or standing and is relieved by sitting or leaning forward.
• Radiating leg pain (sciatica) — Pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from the lower back down one or both legs.
• Neck and arm pain — Cervical stenosis can cause pain, weakness, or numbness radiating into the shoulders and arms, known as cervical radiculopathy.
• Balance and coordination problems — Severe cervical stenosis compressing the spinal cord (myelopathy) can cause unsteady gait and fine motor difficulty.
• Bladder or bowel changes — In severe cases, significant nerve compression can affect bladder or bowel control and requires urgent evaluation.

How Spinal Stenosis Is Diagnosed

Dr. Sharan uses a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging to confirm the diagnosis and identify the specific levels of stenosis before recommending treatment:

• Physical and neurological exam — Evaluating gait, balance, reflexes, strength, and sensation to determine which nerve levels are affected.
• MRI — The gold standard for visualizing the degree of canal narrowing, nerve compression, and soft tissue changes including disc herniation and ligament thickening.
• CT scan or X-ray — Used to assess bone anatomy, facet joint arthritis, vertebral alignment, and disc space collapse.
• Electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/NCS) — Helps quantify the degree of nerve injury and differentiate stenosis from peripheral neuropathy or other causes of leg symptoms.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Dr. Sharan always begins with the least invasive approach appropriate to each patient’s severity and functional limitations. Most patients with mild to moderate spinal stenosis can be managed effectively without surgery:

• Physical therapy — Flexion-based exercises open the spinal canal, strengthen core and paraspinal muscles, and improve walking tolerance. A structured PT program is the cornerstone of conservative stenosis care.
• Anti-inflammatory medications — NSAIDs and oral corticosteroids can reduce inflammation around compressed nerve roots and provide meaningful pain relief.
• Epidural steroid injections — Corticosteroid delivered to the epidural space directly targets nerve root inflammation, often providing weeks to months of relief and enabling participation in physical therapy.
• Activity modification — Guidance on posture, assistive devices, and pacing strategies to maintain daily function while reducing symptom flares.

Surgical Treatment for Spinal Stenosis in NJ

Surgery is recommended when conservative care has not provided adequate relief, when neurological deficits are progressing, or when stenosis is significantly limiting daily activity and quality of life. Dr. Sharan performs the full spectrum of minimally invasive surgical options for spinal stenosis:

• Laminectomy / decompression — The most common surgery for lumbar stenosis. The lamina (back of the vertebra) and any thickened ligament or bone spurs are removed to restore space for the nerve roots. Minimally invasive techniques minimize muscle disruption and speed recovery.
• Laminotomy / foraminotomy — A more targeted decompression that removes only the portion of bone or tissue compressing a specific nerve root, preserving more of the surrounding structure.
• Awake spinal fusion — When stenosis is accompanied by spinal instability or spondylolisthesis, fusion may be required in addition to decompression. Dr. Sharan’s pioneering awake technique uses conscious sedation rather than general anesthesia, reducing risk and recovery time. Many patients go home the same day.

About Dr. Alok Sharan

Dr. Alok Sharan is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with over 20 years of experience treating spinal stenosis and complex spinal conditions throughout New Jersey. He holds an MHCDS from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy, is recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and is the pioneer of awake spinal fusion in the United States. The Spine and Performance Institute has earned 162+ five-star Google reviews and serves patients from Edison, Woodbridge, Piscataway, New Brunswick, and across Central NJ. NPI: 1174518987.

Location: 35-37 Progress St, Suite B5, Edison, NJ 08820  |  Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

Can spinal stenosis get worse over time?

Yes — spinal stenosis is typically progressive, though the rate varies significantly between individuals. Some patients remain stable for years with conservative management, while others experience gradual worsening. Monitoring with periodic clinical evaluation helps determine when intervention is appropriate.

Is spinal stenosis the same as a herniated disc?

They are related but distinct conditions. A herniated disc can cause or worsen stenosis by pushing disc material into the spinal canal. Stenosis more broadly refers to canal narrowing from any cause — including bone spurs, thickened ligaments, or vertebral slippage — and often involves multiple contributing factors simultaneously.

Why does leaning forward relieve spinal stenosis pain?

Flexing the spine (leaning forward, sitting, or riding a bike) temporarily opens the spinal canal and reduces pressure on compressed nerves. This is why patients with lumbar stenosis often feel better leaning on a shopping cart than walking upright — a classic presentation called neurogenic claudication.

What is the success rate of spinal stenosis surgery?

Lumbar decompression surgery for spinal stenosis has a high success rate — the majority of patients experience significant improvement in leg symptoms and walking ability. Outcomes are best when surgery is performed before severe or permanent nerve damage has occurred.

How do I get evaluated for spinal stenosis in NJ?

Call our Edison office at (732) 898-3950 or request an appointment online. Dr. Sharan will review your symptoms, imaging, and history to confirm the diagnosis and outline your treatment options.

Schedule a Spinal Stenosis Consultation in Edison, NJ

Spinal stenosis is treatable — and most patients do not need surgery to regain function and reduce pain. Dr. Alok Sharan and the team at The Spine and Performance Institute provide expert, individualized spinal stenosis care at our Edison, NJ office, serving patients throughout Middlesex County and all of Central New Jersey. Call (732) 898-3950 or request an appointment online to get started.