Lesson 1Focused history elements: hyperglycaemia, duration of ulcer, prior ulcers or amputations, systemic symptomsLearners will spot key history points for suspected diabetic foot infection, like ulcer start, past sores or amputations, body symptoms, sugar control, and recent antibiotics to gauge severity and plan urgent tests.
Characterizing ulcer onset and durationPrior ulcers, amputations, and surgeriesRecent trauma, footwear, and pressure historySystemic symptoms and sepsis red flagsMedication, antibiotic, and allergy reviewLesson 2Initial in-hospital management in first 24 hours: empiric antibiotics, culture technique, offloading strategies, dressing choices, glycaemic control coordinationLearners will plan the first 24 hours of hospital care, including starting antibiotics, correct swab methods, urgent pressure relief, dressing picks, pain relief, and sugar management with the team.
Risk-based empiric antibiotic selectionObtaining deep tissue and bone culturesImmediate offloading and bed rest ordersSelecting initial dressings and topical careCoordinating insulin and glycemic controlLesson 3Laboratory and imaging: CBC, CRP, blood cultures, HbA1c, plain radiographs, MRI indications and useThis section explains lab and scan workup, including full blood count, CRP, ESR, blood cultures, HbA1c, X-rays, and when to use MRI, CT, or ultrasound for bone infection, pus pockets, and gas in tissues.
Baseline inflammatory and sepsis labsRole of HbA1c and metabolic markersPlain radiographs and typical findingsMRI indications for osteomyelitisWhen to use CT or ultrasound imagingLesson 4Pathophysiology of diabetic foot infection and neuropathic ulcerationThis section reviews how high sugar, nerve damage, poor blood flow, and weak immunity cause ulcers and infections in diabetes, guiding risk checks and treatment choices.
Impact of chronic hyperglycemia on tissuesPeripheral neuropathy and loss of protectionMicrovascular and macrovascular ischemiaImmune dysfunction and infection riskBiofilm formation in chronic foot woundsLesson 5Coordination with endocrinology, infectious disease, vascular surgery, and wound care teamsLearners will learn to work with sugar specialists, infection experts, vessel surgeons, and wound teams, defining roles, referral points, and talk strategies for better results and fewer issues.
When to involve endocrinology servicesConsulting infectious disease specialistsReferral criteria for vascular surgeryWorking with wound care and podiatryStructured multidisciplinary case reviewsLesson 6Focused foot and lower-limb exam: probe-to-bone, depth, sinus tracts, neuropathy testing (10g monofilament), peripheral pulsesThis section details structured foot and leg exam, with look, feel, probe-to-bone, depth and tunnel checks, nerve test with 10g thread, and pulse checks.
Systematic visual inspection of the footProbe-to-bone technique and interpretationMeasuring wound depth and sinus tracts10 g monofilament neuropathy testingPalpation and grading of pedal pulsesLesson 7Discharge planning: outpatient wound care, offloading devices, footwear prescription, glycaemic follow-upLearners will arrange safe discharge for diabetic foot infection patients, with outpatient wound care, pressure relief gear, shoe scripts, sugar checks, warning signs education, and return rules.
Assessing readiness and safety for dischargeCoordinating outpatient wound care visitsPrescribing offloading devices and footwearScheduling diabetes and glycemic follow-upPatient education on recurrence preventionLesson 8Wound classification systems and severity scoring (IDSA, IWGDF, University of Texas)Learners will compare main wound grading and severity scores like IDSA, IWGDF, and Texas system, using them for risk levels, standard records, and care intensity.
IDSA infection severity categoriesIWGDF risk and infection gradingUniversity of Texas wound stagingLinking scores to treatment pathwaysUsing scores for communication and auditLesson 9Criteria and timing for surgical debridement or amputation and perioperative considerationsThis section lists rules and timing for cleaning surgery or amputation, with signs, urgency, pre-op prep, anaesthesia notes, and post-op limb save and rehab plans.
Indications for urgent surgical debridementCriteria for limited versus major amputationPreoperative risk assessment and optimizationAntibiotic timing around the operationPostoperative wound and limb salvage plansLesson 10Wound care protocols, antimicrobial stewardship, serial assessment and documentationThis section gives standard wound care steps, dressing choices, cleaning timings, antibiotic saving rules, and ways for regular checks, photos, and records to track healing.
Standardized bedside wound assessmentChoosing dressings by exudate and depthFrequency and methods of debridementAntibiotic de-escalation and durationSerial photography and EMR documentation
