Synopsis
Diabetic foot ulceration is one of the most serious and preventable complications of diabetes, yet many opportunities for early detection and intervention are missed in routine care. This practical, hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the key elements of a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam (CDFE), including assessment of perfusion, protective sensation, nerve function, joint mobility, deformity, footwear, and other risk factors for ulceration and limb loss.
Participants will learn proper techniques for performing both a complete diabetic foot examination and a focused 3-minute diabetic foot exam that can be integrated into busy clinical settings. Faculty will demonstrate clinical assessment methods for vascular status, neuropathy, limited joint mobility, structural deformity, and areas of increased mechanical stress that contribute to ulcer formation. The workshop will also address how examination findings should guide risk stratification, referral, prevention strategies, and patient education.
The session will include practical discussion of interventions to prevent ulceration, including appropriate footwear selection and prescription, offloading considerations, and emerging technologies for skin temperature assessment to help identify inflammation and predict ulcer risk. Sponsored by the American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS), this workshop will also highlight the importance of team-based care, advocacy for patients at risk for limb loss, and clinically useful resources that attendees can apply immediately in practice.
