Diabetic Foot and Lower Limb Ischaemia Unit

The Diabetic Foot and Lower Limb Ischaemia Unit at the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital is a highly specialised unit dedicated to the comprehensive management of complex vascular conditions affecting the lower limbs, with a particular focus on patients with diabetes and advanced peripheral arterial disease.

Forming part of the Vascular Surgery department, it operates under a care model based on expert medical judgement, multidisciplinary coordination and the individualised assessment of each clinical case.

Which patients does the Unit treat?

The unit treats patients at high risk of vascular complications in the lower limbs, with the primary clinical aim of preserving the limb, limiting the progression of the disease and maintaining functionality.

Its work focuses on the assessment, treatment and follow-up of highly and very highly complex cases, which require specialised, coordinated care tailored to each individual’s clinical situation.

Conditions treated by the unit

The unit specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of complex vascular conditions affecting the lower limbs, particularly those associated with diabetes and advanced arterial disease.

The unit specifically addresses:

• Diabetic foot at its various stages

• Chronic ischaemia of the lower limbs

• Chronic ulcers of vascular or mixed origin

• Infections associated with diabetic foot

• Ischaemic lesions with a risk of limb loss

• Advanced peripheral arterial disease, particularly in the infrapopliteal and distal regions

How each case is assessed

The care process begins with a detailed clinical assessment, focusing on the patient’s medical history, a vascular examination and an analysis of the general and functional condition of the limb. This assessment is supported by diagnostic imaging tests which enable the study of arterial blood flow and the precise localisation of the affected areas.

The treatment plan is determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the team’s expert judgement and specific clinical protocols. Decisions are made following a joint assessment of the degree of ischaemia, the condition of the lesions, the presence of infection and the patient’s general condition, always prioritising the most appropriate option from a clinical and safety perspective.

Treatment options

The unit employs advanced endovascular techniques aimed at arterial revascularisation from the iliac region down to the arteries of the foot, selected according to the location and complexity of the condition.

Procedures carried out include balloon angioplasty, stent placement — metal mesh devices designed to keep the artery open —, rotational atherectomy (mechanical removal of material obstructing the artery) and complex recanalisation of infrapopliteal and distal arteries (restoration of flow in severely affected small-calibre vessels).

Where the clinical situation requires it or the anatomical characteristics warrant it, open surgery is indicated at any level of the lower limb arterial system. These procedures are carried out using grafts or bypasses, planned on an individual basis to restore blood flow and promote limb viability.

Experts in diabetic foot care with a multidisciplinary approach

The team comprises vascular surgeons, endocrinologists, interventional radiologists and nursing staff with specific experience in the management of complex wounds. This multidisciplinary approach enables a holistic view of the patient and effective coordination between specialities.

The care model is based on planned, personalised and continuous care, in which the patient and their family are given the time they need to understand the clinical situation and make informed decisions about treatment. The unit deals with highly complex cases, combining clinical rigour with supportive care throughout the entire process.