I have had long standing right leg sciatica with two prior surgeries. Recent MRI reports indicate I need an L3/L4 and L4/L5 decompression and fusion. This has been confirmed by multiple surgeons.

My primary care mistakenly ordered a cervical MRI along with the lumbar (I am asymptomatic for cervical issues) but the results showed C5/C6 and C6/C7 degeneration.

A couple of the surgeons told me they would not do the lumbar surgery unless I fixed the cervical first as there was risk of quadriplegia from spinal cord ischemia due to head position and lowered blood pressure during surgery. Two other surgeons said it was not critical.

Has anyone faced a similar situation? I was planning on getting an XLIF for the lumbar so head position might not be as damaging as a PLIF where I would be prone.

I would greatly prefer not to have the cervical fusion done right now as I have no neck or arm problems.