Advanced Diabetic Foot Reconstruction Course 2026 Barcelona | Footexperts Hands On
12 13 November 2026, Barcelona
Advanced Diabetic Foot Reconstruction Course — 2026
2-day hands-on course in advanced surgical reconstruction of the diabetic foot, for orthopaedic surgeons and traumatologists.
2026 Intake — Limited Places
Applications now open. Course dates: November 12–13, 2026 · Barcelona, Spain. Places are strictly limited to ensure the quality of hands-on training — request information before they are filled.
The Advanced Diabetic Foot Reconstruction Course is an intensive 2-day programme designed for surgeons who want to master the most advanced fixation, bone-substitute and reconstruction techniques for the complex diabetic foot. Each day combines focused morning theory with supervised hands-on workshops, under the direct supervision of the Diabetic Foot Expert programme directors at Footexperts.
Now expanded to 2 full days, the course adds new content requested by past participants: bone substitutes for osteomyelitis, tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis, custom 3D-guided reconstruction, and a dedicated session on soft-tissue coverage and amputation criteria led by a guest plastic surgeon.
✅ Why this course?
- 2 full days — theory + hands-on workshops every morning and afternoon
- Bone substitutes workshop — indications, materials and application in osteomyelitis defects
- Soft-tissue coverageNEW — flaps and grafts, taught by a guest plastic surgeon
- Amputation criteriaNEW — levels, indications and limb-salvage decision-making
- TTC arthrodesisNEW — tibiotalocalcaneal fixation technique
- Custom 3D reconstructionNEW — guide- and implant-based planning
- External fixation & TBT — monolateral, circular, hybrid systems and transverse bone transport
- Small group — maximum 20 participants to ensure quality hands-on training
Programme Directors
Dr. Manel Ballester
Head of Orthopaedic Surgery · Hospital Universitari de Mataró
Foot & Ankle Unit Coordinator · Clínica Creu Blanca Barcelona
SEMCPT and EFAS Member · Director, Footexperts
Dr. Gustavo Lucar
Orthopaedic Surgeon · Foot & Ankle Specialist
Foot & Ankle Unit · Hospital Universitari de Mataró & Clínica Creu Blanca
Co-director, Diabetic Foot Expert · Footexperts
Who is this course for?
□ Orthopaedic & trauma surgeons
Foot and ankle specialists incorporating external fixation, bone substitutes and superconstructs into complex diabetic foot reconstruction.
□ Fellows & advanced trainees
Trainees needing hands-on experience with fixators and Charcot reconstruction. Ideal complement to the online Diabetic Foot Fellowship.
⚕️ Vascular & plastic surgeons
Interested in revascularisation criteria, TBT technique, and soft-tissue coverage for diabetic limb salvage.
Course Programme
Two intensive days — theory every morning, hands-on workshops after breakfast · November 12–13, 2026 · Barcelona · 13.5 hours total
Pathology, Assessment & Surgical Management
Block 1 — Diabetic Foot Pathology & Clinical Assessment
- Epidemiology, pathophysiology and socioeconomic impact
- Diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, Charcot neuroarthropathy
- Wagner, PEDIS, Texas and WIfI classifications
- Vascular assessment: ABI and referral criteria to vascular surgery
Rotating Workshops — Core Surgical Techniques
- External Fixation
- Bone Substitutes
- Internal Fixation / Super Construct
Block 2 — Advanced Infection Management & Wound Care
- Diabetic osteomyelitis: diagnosis, microbiology, antimicrobial resistance
- Surgical debridement techniques
- NPWT, bioactive dressings, change protocols
Interactive Case Discussion
- Complex diabetic foot cases and surgical planning
- Managing intra- and postoperative complications
- Multidisciplinary discussion and vascular referral criteria
Advanced Techniques & Intensive Practice
Block 3 — Advanced Surgical Techniques
- Advanced external fixation: circular systems (Ilizarov), TBT
- Internal fixation in diabetic bone: beam screws, advanced Charcot
- Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis NEW
- Custom reconstruction with 3D guide and implant systems NEW
Guest speaker: Plastic Surgery
Block 4 — Soft Tissue Coverage & Amputation Criteria NEW
- Soft tissue coverage: local and regional flaps, skin grafts
- Amputation criteria: levels, indications, functional amputation
- Limb salvage vs. amputation: multidisciplinary decision-making
Multidisciplinary Workshop — Complete Reconstruction
- Internal Fixation / Super Construct
- External Fixation
- Bone Substitutes
- Wound Care
- Soft Tissue Coverage NEW
Rotating format in small groups (max. 5 participants per station), with a specialised instructor and high-fidelity anatomical models.
What you will gain
- Practical mastery of external fixation and bone-substitute application
- Competence in TBT — indications, assembly and follow-up
- Superconstruct and TTC arthrodesis technique
- Understanding of custom 3D-guided reconstruction options
- Soft-tissue coverage principles and amputation decision-making
- Certificate from the Diabetic Foot Expert programme · Footexperts
□ Complementary programme: This course pairs perfectly with the online Diabetic Foot Fellowship 2026. Online fellows receive priority booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the course taught in English?
Yes. The course is delivered entirely in English, with bilingual (English/Spanish) printed materials.
What is included in the €1,000 price?
Breakfast and lunch on both days, printed course materials, a Certificate of Attendance, and 1-year access to the video library.
Who should attend this course?
Orthopaedic surgeons, traumatologists, advanced podiatric surgeons, and vascular or plastic surgeons involved in diabetic foot reconstruction. Fellows and international participants are welcome.
| program_df_english.pdf |
