Question
Hello. I just got my MRI results and was wondering if you could interprete them for me or tell me what they mean in 'normal' person language. L3-4: Mild annular bulging of the disc seen, which minimally contacts thecal sac anteriorly. No significant central canal narrowing identified. The neural foramen are patent bilaterally. L4-5: A broad based disc bulge is noted with a more focal left paracentral disc bulge/disc protrustion seen. This effaces the left anterolateral aspect of the thecal sac. There is mild bilateral facet arthropathy with associated bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. No significant central canal narrowing. The left paracentral disc bulge/protrustion does appear to efface the left L5 intrathecal nerve root. There is evidence of mild bilateral facet arthropathy with associated bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. lateral spondylotic changes result in mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing. Note should also be made that the left paracentral disc bulge/protrustion does appear to extend slightly below the level of the disc posterior to the superior aspect of the L5 vertebral body. L5-S1: there is mild annylar bulging of the disc, which minimally effaces the ventral epidural fat. Mild bilateral facet arthropathy with associated bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy noted. No significant central canal narrowing is seen. The neural foramen are patent bilaterally.

Answer
It appears that you have a disc herniation within your lumbar spine (at the L4-5 verterbra), the disc is in close contact with the spinal nerves that exit at the L5 level. There are also some degenerative changes at this level, hence the facet arthropathy.  The disc bulge plus the degenerative changes are resultng in the narrowing of the neural foramin (the space where the nerves exit the spine).  Lower in the spine at the L5-S1 level there are also some degenerative changes occurring but there is no narrowing of the spinal exits. In conclusion you are suffering from arthritic changes in your which are associated with a herniation/bulging of the discs which are in between each vertebra.