About Our New Jersey Practice

When New Jersey residents require neck, back, or spine surgery, New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C. can offer the multidisciplinary expertise to address a wide range of conditions. Founded in 2010 by Dr. Sandro LaRocca, the practice is dedicated to achieving superior outcomes when surgery is needed to help patients improve quality of life.

If you’re seeking a neck and back surgeon for yourself or your loved ones, New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C., offers advanced procedures and compassionate care throughout Central and Southern New Jersey with offices in Lawrenceville, Wall, Mount Laurel, and North Brunswick.

Conditions We Treat

Spinal conditions can affect anyone, whether due to injury, lifestyle, aging, or other factors. At New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C., Dr. Sandro LaRocca offers extensive experience in treating a wide range of spine problems, including:

Herniated Discs

When an intervertebral disc tears or ruptures, the spine loses essential cushioning, causing numbness, weakness, and pain in the legs, arms, and/or back.

Spondylolisthesis

Commonly occurring in the lower back, spondylolisthesis happens when a vertebra slips out of place.

Spinal Stenosis

This condition causes the spinal canal to narrow, which compresses the spinal cord and nerves in the spine. It may occur within the cervical (neck), thoracic (midback), or lumbar (low back) spine. It causes neurological dysfunction with pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and/or legs.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Spinal discs often deteriorate over time, especially after injuries or overuse. This may eventually cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms or legs, foot drop, and discomfort.

Radiculopathy/Sciatica

Also known as sciatica, radiculopathy occurs when bone spurs, herniated discs, or other abnormalities pinch the spinal nerves. Neurological dysfunction caused by pinching of the spinal nerves in the cervical spine will cause pain, numbness, and weakness into the arms, whereas pinching of the spinal nerves in the lumbar spine, will cause pain, numbness, and weakness into the legs.  

Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

A myelopathy is neurological dysfunction caused by compression of the spinal cord within the spine.  It may result in extremity weakness, numbness, loss of coordination, balance issues, and loss of bowel bladder function. It may be the result of traumatic injuries or the naturally occurring degenerative changes in the spine. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord due to degenerative changes in the cervical spine or neck region.

Scoliosis

Defined by a curvature of the spine, scoliosis often causes neurological dysfunction and pain that impede mobility and quality of life.

Procedures Offered

Dr. LaRocca performs state-of-the-art spine surgeries to help patients regain mobility and comfort. These include:

• Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
• Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion
• Cervical Laminoplasty
• Posterior Cervical Laminotomy
• Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)
• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
• Lumbar Laminectomy
• Lumbar Laminectomy and Fusion
• Minimally Invasive Discectomy
• Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
• Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

Surgery may not always be the best option, as some patients may find results with conservative treatments. When these modalities fail, however, Dr. LaRocca will determine which surgical procedure will be most effective for your condition. Dr. LaRocca will also provide comprehensive education to help you understand your problem and why surgery is necessary.  

A Board Certified, Fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. LaRocca earned a medical doctorate at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University before completing a residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Albert Einstein Medical Center. At the same time, he received specialized training in pediatric scoliosis at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Later, Dr. LaRocca completed a fellowship in complex spinal reconstruction and clinical management of disorders of the neck and back at the New England Baptist Hospital.

Dr. LaRocca has also been board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of several leading medical associations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the North American Spine Society, the Society for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery, the American Medical Association, and more.

Our Patient Is Our No. 1 Priority

At New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C., Dr. LaRocca believes in a multidisciplinary approach that gives patients access to a wide range of specialists, including pain management experts, physiatrists, therapists, and more. Every patient can count on state-of-the-art procedures and personalized, compassionate care to get them back to work, family, and the things they enjoy most.

To learn more about spinal surgery in New Jersey, contact New Jersey Neck & Back Institute, P.C., online or call 609-896-0020 to make an appointment.