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 wounds or amputations, body symptoms, blood sugar control, and recent antibiotics, to gauge severity and plan quick tests.
Characterising 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 organise the first 24 hours of hospital care, including starting antibiotics, correct culture methods, urgent offloading, dressing picks, pain relief, and linking blood sugar management with the ward team.
Risk-based empiric antibiotic selectionObtaining deep tissue and bone culturesImmediate offloading and bed rest ordersSelecting initial dressings and topical careCoordinating insulin and glycaemic controlLesson 3Laboratory and imaging: CBC, CRP, blood cultures, HbA1c, plain radiographs, MRI indications and useThis part explains suitable lab and imaging checks, like full blood count, CRP, ESR, blood cultures, HbA1c, X-rays, and when to use MRI, CT, or ultrasound to spot bone infection, abscess, or 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 part reviews how high blood sugar, nerve damage, poor blood flow, and weak immunity lead to ulcers and infections in diabetes, helping to spot patterns for risk checks and treatment choices.
Impact of chronic hyperglycaemia on tissuesPeripheral neuropathy and loss of protectionMicrovascular and macrovascular ischaemiaImmune 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 endocrinology, infectious disease, vascular surgery, and wound care teams, setting roles, referral points, and talk strategies to boost results and cut risks.
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 part details a step-by-step foot and leg exam, covering looks, feels, probe-to-bone test, depth and tunnel checks, nerve screening with 10g filament, and blood flow check with foot pulses.
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 plan safe going-home for diabetic foot infection patients, covering outpatient wound care, offloading gear, shoe scripts, blood sugar checks, education on danger signs, and return rules.
Assessing readiness and safety for dischargeCoordinating outpatient wound care visitsPrescribing offloading devices and footwearScheduling diabetes and glycaemic 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 University of Texas, using them to sort risks, standardise records, and direct care level and treatment strength.
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 part lists rules and timing for surgical cleaning or amputation, covering signs, urgency, pre-op prep, anaesthesia notes, and post-op limb saving and rehab plans.
Indications for urgent surgical debridementCriteria for limited versus major amputationPreoperative risk assessment and optimisationAntibiotic timing around the operationPostoperative wound and limb salvage plansLesson 10Wound care protocols, antimicrobial stewardship, serial assessment and documentationThis part shares standard wound care steps, dressing choices, cleaning timings, antibiotic saving principles, and ways for ongoing checks, photos, and records to track healing and adjust plans.
Standardised bedside wound assessmentChoosing dressings by exudate and depthFrequency and methods of debridementAntibiotic de-escalation and durationSerial photography and EMR documentation
