Specialization Diploma in Diabetic Foot and Surgery
Introduction
Diabetes is a highly prevalent condition in Western societies. It is one of the costliest chronic diseases due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with vascular complications. Diabetic foot syndrome has a mixed aetiopathogenesis involving three main factors: vasculopathy, neuropathy and infection. One in five people with diabetes will experience diabetic foot complications at least once in their lifetime, often with serious consequences for both the lower limbs and overall health. The appearance of a foot ulcer is one of the most significant health problems for people with diabetes, being one of the most frequent, complex and costly complications.
This highlights the need for professionals with specific expertise in diabetic foot care, capable of leading or contributing to interdisciplinary teams for managing and treating the condition.
Description
This specialised programme is designed to train professionals in the management and treatment of diabetic foot. In most healthcare settings, there is no designated specialist for diabetic foot care, and responsibility is shared among various professionals (vascular surgeons, nurses, general surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, endocrinologists, primary care physicians, podiatrists, etc.), all too often without a coordinated approach. Scientific evidence shows that effective treatment of diabetic foot requires an interdisciplinary holistic approach.
The course is aimed at graduates in health sciences: primary care physicians and specialists, nurses, and podiatrists.
General Objectives:
To equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand all aspects of diabetic foot pathology, from anatomy and biomechanics to clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment techniques.
Specific Objectives:
- Understand the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot
- Identify neuroischaemic patients for appropriate treatment or prevention
- Perform appropriate examinations for accurate diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections
- Apply local care techniques
- Understand surgical techniques for early prevention or treatment of osteoarticular foot lesions
- Learn reconstructive surgical techniques
- Practise the skills, attitudes and aptitudes required for diabetic foot treatment
- Learn to work within an interdisciplinary framework
Curriculum
Includes a theory programme with synchronous and asynchronous classes, on-site simulation seminars, workshops, clinical sessions, and practical training in surgical techniques on cadavers.
1st edition February–June 2026
Online classes
| 03-02-26 | 20.00 h | Course introduction M. Sirvent/ J. Viadé |
| 03-02-26 | 20.15 h | DM: Diagnosis, classification and epidemiology M. Fabbi |
| 10-02-26 | 20.00 h | Diabetic neuropathy I J. Longa |
| 12-02-26 | 20.00 h | Diabetic neuropathy II J. Longa |
| 17-02-26 | 20.00 h | Drug treatment of neuropathic pain A. Server |
| 24-02-26 | 20.00 h | Diabetic vasculopathy M. Sirvent |
| 03-03-26 | 20.00 h | Neuro-ischaemic foot exam J. Viadé/M. Sirvent |
| 10-03-26 | 20.00 h | Diagnostic imaging I R. Pérez |
| 17-03-26 | 20.00 h | Charcot neuroarthropathy: Pathophysiology M. Fabbi |
| 19-03-26 | 20.00 h | Charcot neuroarthropathy: Treatment J. Viadé |
| 24-03-26 | 20.00 h | Drainage systems J. Viadé |
| 31-03-26 | 20.00 h | Diagnostic imaging II R. Pérez |
| 07-04-26 | 20.00 h | Infection (clinical aspects) E. Reynaga |
| 09-04-26 | 20.00 h | Infection: Diagnosis and antibiotic treatment E. Reynaga |
| 14-04-26 | 20.00 h | Guidelines for a global approach to DF J. Viadé/M. Sirvent |
| 21-04-26 | 20.00 h | Topical therapy J. Viadé |
| 28-04-26 | 20.00 h | Diagnostic imaging III R. Pérez |
| 30-04-26 | 20.00 h | Revascularisation techniques and indications M. Sirvent |
| 05-05-26 | 20.00 h | Loco-regional anaesthesia A. Server |
| 07-05-26 | 20.00 h | Septic foot:Approach A. Pérez |
| 12-05-26 | 20.00 h | Orthopaedic surgery techniques A. Pérez |
| 14-05-26 | 20.00 h | Minimally invasive techniques for DF J. Viadé |
| 19-05-26 | 20.00 h | Charcot foot surgery X. Madirolas |
| 26-05-26 | 20.00 h | Reconstruction techniques for DF C. Carrasco |
Teaching methodology: hybrid
Online theory classes:
- Weekly 1.5-hour synchronous classes, starting at 19.30 to accommodate students from South America.
- Asynchronous technique classes (notes or videos)
- Clinical case resolution
- Tutorials
On-site classes: 4–5 consecutive days in June
Practical content
1. Technical Workshops
- Biomechanical Assessment
- Vascular Assessment
- Neuropathic Assessment
- Offloading Systems
- Adhesive Felt
- Casts
- Imaging Diagnostics
2. Interactive Classes
- Clinical Sessions
- Infection Control
- Topical Therapies
- Local Anaesthesia Techniques
3. Surgical Practice on Cadavers
- Minor Surgery Techniques
- Charcot Foot Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Techniques
- Grafts and Flaps
Subjects
1. A1 – Diabetes and Diabetic Foot: Micro and Macrovascular Complications
- Diabetes and Diabetic Foot
- Diabetic Foot Biomechanics
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Assessment
- Neuropathic Pain: Treatment
- Charcot Neuroarthropathy
- Diabetic Vasculopathy
- Assessment
- Diabetes Education
- Footwear
2. A2 – Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Diabetic Foot
- Assessment and Treatment System
- Imaging Diagnosis
- Image Reading Practice
- MRI / Nuclear Medicine
- Diabetic Foot Infection
- Pathophysiology and Diagnosis
- Septic Foot
- Infection Control Offloading Systems
- Localised approaches
- Negative Pressure Therapy
- Cytokine Treatment
3. A3 – Surgical Techniques and Cadaver Surgery Practice
- Charcot Neuroarthropathy
- Local-Regional Anaesthesia
- Minor Surgery Techniques
- Minimally Invasive Techniques
- Surgical Treatment of Ischaemia
- Minor Surgery Techniques
- Minor Amputations
Admission criteria
Bachelor’s Degree in the area of Health Sciences
Assessment
Final theory and practical exam
Academic structure
On-site practical sessions: Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
- Simulation classrooms
- Cadaver surgical training room
- Endocrinology Service
8–12 June, 08.00 to 14.00
- Diabetic patient examination
- Rehabilitation of patients with DF
- Biomechanics and DF
- Lower limb anatomy
- Drainage system workshop
- Biotechnology applied to DF
- Multidisciplinary clinical sessions
- Workshop “Approach to diabetic foot ulcers”
- Endovascular surgery workshop
- Surgery techniques on cadavers
- Loco-regional anaesthesia
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Reconstructive surgery
- Charcot foot surgery
Teaching staff: A. Server / C. Carrasco / M. Fabbi / S. Lladó / X. Madirolas / R. Molina /A. Morral / A. Puig / A. Pérez / A. Rodríguez / M. Sirvent / J. Viadé
Teachers
- Fabbi, Matteo. MD, head of Endocrinology. Quirón Group. Hospital General de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona).
- Carrasco López, Cristian. MD, PhD, clinical head of Plastic Surgery at Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. Adjunct lecturer at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. FEBOPRAS fellow.
- Lladó Vidal, Melcior. DPM, holder of a Master’s Degree in Diabetic Foot Diagnosis and Treatment. Coordinator of the Diabetic Foot Unit, Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands).
- Longa-López, John C. MD, PhD, Endocrinologist. Professor of Medicine at Universidad de Lima (Peru).
- Madirolas Alonso, Xavier. MD, specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery. Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, Salt (Girona). Lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Girona.
- Molina Carrillo, Rubén. Holder of a degree in Nursing, Pare Claret Primary Care Centre (Barcelona). Wound care specialist and member of the Barcelona Regional Office’s Wound Care Committee. Holder of an Official Master’s Degree in Comprehensive Management and Research in Chronic Wound Care.
- Morral Fernández, Antoni. PT, PhD, Blanquerna Faculty of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University. “Health and Sport” Physiotherapy Clinic, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda (Barcelona).
- Pérez Andrés, Ricard. MD, PhD, clinical director of the Regional Metropolitan North Radiodiagnosis Service. Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital. Germans Trias Teaching Unit. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Lecturer and head of the Radiology Knowledge Area.
- Pérez Fernández, Albert. MD, PhD specialising in Orthopaedic Surgery. Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet del Llobregat (Barcelona). Head of the foot and ankle team. Coordinator of the Functional Diabetic Foot Unit.
- Puig Diví, Albert. PT, PhD, lecturer and researcher in the Blanquerna Faculty of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, and director of the University Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy Applied to Team Sports.
- Reynaga Sosa, Esteban. MD, PhD, attending physician specialising in infectious diseases. Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, Badalona.
- Rodríguez Baeza, Alfonso. MD, PhD, full professor of Anatomy. Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
- Server Salvà, Anna. MD, PhD, Pain Unit. Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation Service. Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona (Spain).
- Sirvent González, Marc. MD, PhD, head of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Hospital General de Granollers.
- Valverde Torreguitart, Maite. RN, PhD. Nurse specialising in therapeutic education and diabetes. Collaborator at the Terrassa Nursing School. University of Barcelona.
- Viadé Julià, Jordi. DPM, PT, PhD, Diabetic Foot Clinic, Sabadell (Barcelona).