Finding a podiatrist who knows how to treat psoriatic arthritis is one of the most frustrating aspects of managing foot problems associated with the disease, say Australasian rheumatologists.

They made the comments during a series of face-to-face surveys in Australia and New Zealand that included 10 rheumatologists, two rheumatology registrars, three podiatrists, a physiotherapist and a rheumatology care co-ordinator.

When asked what the major barriers to rheumatologists treating foot arthritis were, a common theme was poor access to adequate podiatry services.

A lack of a multi-disciplinary team approach to the management of psoriatic arthritis — including special interest podiatrists and physiotherapists — exacerbated the problem, they said.