Interpret MRI results?

I am not seeing my doc for a few weeks and would like to know what this means. Also I was told based on my MRI results from a year ago that I would need a distectomy. Is this still an option?

HISTORY: Low back pain with left leg paresthesias and pain, L5-S1 disk herniation
COMPARISON: None
TECHNIQUE: Sagittal and axial sequences were performed through the lumbar spine.
FINDINGS: There is normal lumbar alignment. There is no vertebral marrow signal abnormality. Vertebral
body heights are normal.
The L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 intervertebral disks are normal.

At the L5-S1 level, there is a shallow, broad-based left paracentral soft tissue disk herniation. There is mild
deformity of the left ventral thecal sac without significant spinal stenosis. There may be minimal posterior
displacement of the left S1 nerve root. There is no foraminal extension of the herniated disk fragment.
There is mild inferior migration of the herniated disk fragment to lie behind the S1 body.
The distal spinal cord is normal in appearance. There is no intradural mass.

IMPRESSION: There is a broad-based, shallow left paracentral L5-S1 disk herniation with mild inferior
migration of the herniated disk fragment. There is mild displacement of the left S1 nerve root. Otherwise
normal MRI of the lumbar spine.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

You have spinal changes which have progressed to some amount of disk herniation at L5 and S1.
You would not need an immediate surgery and you can go conservatively based on your symptoms.
The most important thing for you thou is lifestyle changes you have to adopt to decrease the pathological changes on your spine from progressing. Wear proper footwear, proper position while sleeping, sitting, working, driving etc should be followed.
Discuss with your orthopedician in detail

Take care!