Wound care for diabetic foot ulcers and leg wounds
A recognized Alberta Health Services High Risk Foot Clinic. A specialist physician and a wound care nurse see you together at every visit — with one goal: healing your wound and protecting your foot.
diabetic foot ulcers leads to an amputation.1
Most of these amputations are preventable — with early, expert wound care.
Open wounds below the knee
Our wound care program is for people with an open wound on the foot or lower leg — with or without diabetes.
How to get seen
Wound care requires a referral, but getting one is simple. Your provider doesn't need to send any specific tests.
- Talk to your doctor or nurse practitionerAsk them to refer you to our wound care program.
- They fax the referralTo (780) 409-5670. No specific tests or forms are required.
- We call you to bookNew wounds are usually seen within 3 weeks.
- Your first visitA full assessment and a plan to heal your wound.
No family doctor? Call us at (780) 409-5673 and we'll talk through your options.
What we do to heal your wound
At your visits
- A full assessmentIncluding circulation and signs of infection.
- DebridementRemoving dead tissue so the wound can heal.
- DressingsApplied in clinic, with dressing orders sent to home care.
- Compression wrapsFor leg ulcers caused by poor vein circulation.
- OffloadingTaking pressure off the wound — we may recommend, and provide, temporary offloading footwear.
Your care team
- A specialist physician and a nurseYou're seen by both at every visit. Your nurse is an RN or LPN with training in wound and foot care.
- Coordinated referralsWhen needed, we arrange care with vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, interventional radiology, infectious diseases, surgical podiatry, orthotists, physiotherapy, dietitians and diabetes educators.
Protecting your feet with diabetes
Dr. Shafran and one of our patients joined CTV Morning Live to talk about diabetic foot care during Foot Health Awareness Month.
Keep your feet healthy
Regular medical pedicures help catch problems early, before they become new wounds. No referral needed.
Wound care FAQ
Do I need a referral?
Yes. Ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to fax a referral to (780) 409-5670. No specific tests are needed.
How long is the wait?
New wounds are usually seen within 3 weeks of referral.
Is it covered?
Yes. Wound care consultations and follow-up visits are covered by Alberta Health.
Do I need to have diabetes?
No. We see any open wound below the knee, with or without diabetes.
What should I bring?
A list of your medications and the shoes you wear most often.
What if my wound gets worse while I wait?
If you notice spreading redness, warmth or swelling, pus, a fever, or skin turning dark or black, go to urgent care or the emergency department right away.
Most amputations are preventable
One in five diabetic foot ulcers results in an amputation,1 and life expectancy after a lower limb amputation is lower than for many cancers.2 Each year there are about 250 diabetes-related lower limb amputations in the Edmonton area.3 Early, coordinated wound care changes that.
1. Cavanagh PR et al. Treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. Lancet 2005;366(9498):1725–35.
2. Moulik PK et al. Amputation and mortality in new-onset diabetic foot ulcers stratified by etiology. Diabetes Care 2003;26(2):491–4.
3. Basiri R et al. Reduction in diabetes-related major amputation rates after implementation of a multidisciplinary model: an evaluation in Alberta, Canada. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 2019. doi:10.7547/19-137.
Referring a patient?
Fax (780) 409-5670 · No specific tests required · Usually seen within 3 weeks
Visit us
Edmonton, AB T5H 0P9
Tue, Wed — 8:00am to 6:00pm