Bone spurs or osteophytes can occur almost anywhere in the spine. They often form where the nerve root exits the spinal canal, referred to the foramen (or neuroforamen). Like a disc, this can cause impingement of the exiting nerve root and the symptoms are essentially the same as for a cervical disc herniation. Since bone spurs take some time to develop, symptom onset is usually more gradual than for a disc herniation. Treatment is as described in the Cervical Disc Herniation section. Often, a foraminotomy is performed. This refers to surgical decompression or widening of the foramen in order to give the exiting nerve root more room.