@bluej You should be able to go out of state. If your insurance company doesn't have someone that specializes in the Tarlov cysts surgery then you can file a grievance (after being denied). If they still deny you contact Reta from the Tarlov Cyst Disease Foundation. She will help you out with it. I had to fight and go through this for 3 years before my insurance company would finally cover it. I can say it was worth the fight. I figured I could either lay around and keep getting worse or I could go through with the surgery and hopefully get better. Like any back or nerve surgery there is the risk that it could be better, could be worse, or stay the same. This is because everyone is "wired" differently and everyone's body responds differently. I had 5 cysts and all 5 of my sciatic nerves were compressed for years. Prior to surgery I couldn't sit on my right butt cheek, stand or walk for more than a few minutes and now use a cane, ended up with neuropathy in both legs, allodynia, hyperalgesia, and bowel and bladder issues. The injury that caused the cysts was way back in 2003 but I wasn't diagnosed until 2018. They told me I was an extreme case and that I should expect some permanent nerve damage because of the length of time the nerves were compressed. I'm 11 months into the 2 year recovery (only because nerves grow really slow). I can't say I'm any better yet but I have just over a year to go in the recovery. One of my doctors also had one Tarlov cyst and she had the surgery done by Dr. Feigenbaum. She has recovered 80%. Large or small, these cysts can cause so much pain and life changing problems. It's definitely worth the fight to have a consultation with Dr. Feigenbaum or Dr. Schrot at the very least. I don't want anyone to end up like me. Best of luck to you and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!