Question
My recent MRI said: C5-C6: Broad-based, posterior, mixed spondylotic protrusion effacing ventral cerebrospinal fluid, with uncovertebral hypertrophy narrowing the right, more than left, foramen. Mild effacement of the ventral margin of the cord, without cord edma. C6-C7: significant, diffuse annular bulge is identified with a more focal component in the central zone effacing ventral cerebrospinal fluid, without cord compression or significant effacement. Mild, bilateral foramen narrowing.
What does this mean?

Answer
Hi Carol- I'll do my best to answer your question.  It's hard not to get lost in the medical lingo!

c5-6 protrusion: this means you have a disc pushing to the front (belly) against your spinal cord, the hole where nerves go from spine to rest of your body (foramen) at this level is narrowed on the right side.  
<are you having numb or tingly feelings or weakness in your right arm?>
no swelling in the cord (edema)- this is good news

c6-7 essentially, the problem beginning at c5-6 gets worse one vertebra down- bulging disc is more significant and pushing against the cord (again, ventrally).  No cord compression (again good news), both holes the nerves go through are slightly narrowed- to left and right

Sounds like you have a bulging disc or 2- very common though not real pleasant- likely giving you the 'pinched nerve' feelings, but the big bad possibilities (cord compression, edema) that can lead to paralysis, etc aren't there.

hope that helps?
good luck
leslie