Joint removal necessary?
 

Dr. Schrut in Sacramento is recommending surgery to remove my cyst in C7, the left nerve root. We tried a cortisone injection around the area to be sure the symptoms were coming from there and they likely are. I experienced temporary relief after the injection though it did not last (just for the day) this was what we were hoping for though some kind of indicator.

My concerns are obviously the cost. My insurance will not pay. And also the removal of a joint in my neck which he said could cause complications in the future. He said the the joint could need fussed years down the road. He said he'd be going in through the back of the neck and must remove a joint on the left side to access the cyst.

Do others go in through the side and leave the joint in tack?