OK, so arthritis with osteophytes is osteoarthritis, and RA doesn't cause osteophytes. I get that. But I came back from radiology with a report on my left shoulder of "subtle marginal osteophytes......". I didn't think this would be just wear & tear because joint swelling started 15 months ago, and because an ultrasound of my right shoulder shows bursitis which would likely be from RA.
So I pecked around on the web and found this link
http://www.rndsystems.com/cb_detail_objectname_su07_DKK1.aspx
to the topic UPSETTING THE BALANCE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, that suggests anti-TNF drugs can result in formation of osteophytes in RA patients.
You just never know what the side-effects are going to be!http://arthritis.about.com/b/2006/08/27/what-are-osteophytes.htmdon't forget though that RA damage leads to secondary OA and the related osteophytes
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