01
A diabetic foot ulcer, blister or wound that is slow to heal
↗Surgical & advanced care
Diabetic Foot & Limb Preservation Programme
Rapid, coordinated assessment of diabetic foot wounds, infection, nerve damage and poor circulation.
Specialist-ledAward-recognisedConnected diagnostics24/7 escalation
Understanding Diabetic Foot & Limb Preservation Programme
A careful diagnosis first. Surgery only when it adds real value.
A small blister, crack or wound can become serious when diabetes reduces sensation, circulation or infection control. The safest approach is early assessment—not waiting for pain, because nerve damage may make a dangerous wound feel surprisingly mild.
Advanced surgical care begins with specialist review and an honest discussion of benefits, risks and alternatives. When surgery is appropriate, preparation, anaesthesia, theatre, postoperative monitoring, pain management and rehabilitation become one connected pathway.
A clearer, more hopeful way forward.
A surgical recommendation should never feel like a rushed instruction. Patients and families deserve time to understand why it is being considered and what recovery may involve.
When to speak with the team
Reasons people are referred.
These are common starting points, not a diagnostic checklist. The right assessment depends on the full clinical picture.
02
Numbness, tingling or reduced sensation in the feet
↗03
A foot with poor circulation, coldness or colour change
↗04
Spreading redness, discharge, odour or swelling suggesting infection
↗05
A second opinion about whether or when limb-preservation surgery is needed
↗06
Ongoing foot care and monitoring for a known diabetic foot risk
↗What we can do
A complete diabetic foot & limb preservation programme pathway.
Every capability is selected according to clinical need. Your team should explain why a test, treatment or referral is being considered.
01
Same-pathway diabetes and wound assessment
Diabetes control and the foot wound are assessed together in the same visit.
→02
Foot-pulse, sensation and infection evaluation
Pulses, sensation and signs of infection are checked to grade the severity of a foot problem.
→03
Laboratory and imaging support
Laboratory tests and imaging are used to assess infection, bone involvement and healing potential.
→04
Vascular ultrasound, angiography and circulation review
Vascular ultrasound and angiography assess blood flow to the leg and foot when circulation is in question.
→05
Catheter-based peripheral intervention for selected patients
Selected patients with poor circulation are offered catheter-based treatment to improve blood flow to the limb.
→06
Wound care, pressure relief and dressing plans
A wound-care plan covers dressing changes, pressure offloading and monitoring for healing.
→07
Surgical review and infection management
Surgical opinion and infection management are arranged promptly when a wound is not improving.
→08
Kidney, heart and glucose optimisation
Kidney function, heart health and blood glucose are optimised alongside wound treatment.
→09
Long-term prevention and footwear education
Ongoing education on footwear and foot checks supports prevention of future ulcers.
→What to expect
Your care, step by step.
Complex medicine feels more manageable when every stage is visible and every question has a place.
01
Confirm the diagnosis
The surgeon reviews symptoms, examination and imaging before recommending an operation.
02
Discuss options
Benefits, risks, non-surgical alternatives and expected recovery are explained.
03
Prepare the patient
Anaesthesia and medical teams optimise health and plan monitoring.
04
Operate safely
The theatre team works from a clear procedural and safety plan.
05
Recover with support
Ward or ICU/HDU care, rehabilitation and follow-up support healing and function.
Diabetic foot & limb preservation
A foot problem should be assessed early—even when it does not hurt.
Diabetes may reduce feeling, blood flow and the body’s ability to fight infection. Because nerve damage can hide pain, a wound may be more serious than it feels. Early coordinated care gives the best opportunity to control infection, restore circulation where possible and protect mobility.
01
Loss of sensation
Nerve damage can make a blister, burn, tight shoe or small cut difficult to notice. Daily inspection helps identify change before it grows.
02
Poor circulation
Narrowed leg arteries can make the foot cold, painful or slow to heal. Vascular assessment helps determine whether blood flow needs treatment.
03
Infection can spread
Warmth, swelling, discharge, odour, skin colour change or fever needs prompt assessment. Waiting for severe pain can be unsafe.
04
Pressure prevents healing
Wounds may need pressure relief, appropriate dressings, glucose control, infection treatment and sometimes a procedure—not repeated home remedies.
When to speak with us
Start with the concern you have—not a perfect medical label.
These are common reasons to arrange an assessment. They do not confirm a diagnosis, and the appropriate starting team may change after clinical review.
- Any new foot wound, blister or skin break
- A wound that is not healing
- Numbness, burning or reduced sensation
- A cold, pale, darkened or painful foot
- Swelling, discharge, odour or increasing warmth
- Previous amputation, ulcer or poor circulation
Your connected pathway
Every stage has a purpose.
Cardiocare brings the relevant specialists, investigations, treatment and follow-up into one documented plan.
01
Rapid triage
The team checks circulation, sensation, infection and whether the problem needs urgent admission.
→02
Define the wound
Laboratory tests, imaging and vascular studies clarify depth, infection and blood flow.
→03
Control the drivers
Glucose, infection, pressure, kidney function, nutrition and cardiovascular risk are addressed together.
→04
Restore flow when suitable
Selected patients may benefit from peripheral angiography, balloon treatment or stenting.
→05
Heal and prevent recurrence
Wound review, footwear guidance, foot checks and diabetes follow-up support long-term protection.
Why Cardiocare for this programme
Multispecialty care changes what is possible.
The strongest advantage is not one department. It is the ability to bring the right departments together quickly and safely.
Vascular intervention on site
The cath-lab team can assess and treat selected circulation problems through minimally invasive techniques.
Diabetes and kidney optimisation
Endocrinology and nephrology help manage conditions that affect healing and medicine choices.
Surgery and ICU/HDU backup
Urgent infection or complex illness can escalate within the same hospital system.
Urgent warning signs
Do not wait for a routine appointment.
- A black, blue, rapidly darkening or very cold foot
- Spreading redness, discharge, fever or sudden swelling
- A wound with severe illness, confusion or very high glucose symptoms
- Sudden loss of feeling or movement
Go to the nearest emergency department immediately — do not drive yourself. Call our 24/7 emergency line on +234 806 142 4614 to tell us you are coming.
The Cardiocare advantage
Expertise is stronger when the whole system is ready.
Cardiocare can connect diabetology, vascular intervention, surgery, imaging, laboratory, nephrology and critical care around the shared goal of healing wounds and preserving function wherever clinically possible. This is why patients, families and referring clinicians choose Cardiocare for care that may need more than one specialist or facility.
01
One hospital, one plan
Consultation, diagnostics, intervention, surgery, ICU/HDU, dialysis and recovery can coordinate without fragmenting the patient journey.
02
Pioneering capability
Advanced catheter, device and surgical expertise—including Northern Nigeria’s first cardiac left bundle branch pacing—reflects a culture of clinical progress.
03
Critical care around complex care
Round-the-clock emergency, ICU and HDU support surrounds patients whose needs may change quickly.
04
Multispecialty judgement
Cardiology works alongside nephrology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology, surgery and other specialists when one diagnosis is not the whole story.
05
Care here in Nigeria
International-level cardiovascular capability in Abuja helps families avoid unnecessary travel abroad and remain closer to their support system.
06
Education is part of care
Plain-language teaching, patient guides, support programmes and professional education turn expertise into confidence.
45specialist service pathways
24/7emergency, ICU & HDU support
1982Limi Hospital Group heritage
Awardedexcellence by the Nigerian Cardiac Society
Questions patients ask
Good questions deserve clear answers.
Open each question for a straightforward explanation. Your own clinician should still interpret what it means for you.
Ask the Cardiocare team01Does seeing a surgeon mean I must have surgery?＋
No. A surgical consultation helps decide whether an operation is useful, when it should happen and what alternatives exist.
02How are risks assessed?＋
The team considers the condition, planned procedure, age, medicines, heart and lung health, kidney function and other individual factors.
03Where will I recover?＋
Recovery may begin in ICU/HDU or a ward depending on the operation and clinical needs.
04What happens after discharge?＋
Patients receive instructions on medicines, wound care, activity, warning signs and scheduled review.
Continue learning
Patient guides for this care journey.
Prepare questions, understand warning signs and revisit explanations at your own pace.
Important medical information
This page is educational and cannot diagnose a condition or determine which treatment is right for an individual. A clinician must assess symptoms, results, medicines and overall health. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent care.
Consultant-led teamsCardiology, interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery, led by fellowship-trained consultant physicians (FWACP/FMCP).
Pioneer institutionNorthern Nigeria's pioneer cardiovascular institution, recognised by the Nigerian Cardiac Society.
Teaching hospitalA postgraduate teaching institution and MDCN-accredited CPD provider.
Proven cath labHundreds of successful catheter-based procedures in our on-site cath lab.
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