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, blood sugar control, and recent antibiotics, to gauge seriousness and direct urgent 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 plan the first day 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, abscesses, 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 part looks at how neuropathic sores and infections develop in diabetes, linking high blood sugar, nerve damage, poor blood flow, and weak immunity to patterns that help sort risks and choose treatments.
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 how to work with endocrinology, infectious disease, vascular surgery, and wound care teams, setting roles, referral points, and communication ways to boost results and cut problems.
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 planned foot and leg exam, with looking, feeling, 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 arrange safe going-home plans for diabetic foot infection patients, covering outpatient wound care, offloading gear, shoe scripts, blood sugar follow-up, 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 sorting and severity scores, like IDSA, IWGDF, and University of Texas, and use 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 sets out rules and timing for surgical cleaning or amputation, covering signs, urgency, pre-op prep, anaesthesia notes, and after-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 shows standard wound care plans, dressing choices, cleaning timings, antibiotic wise use, 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
