Foot & Ankle
Diabetic Foot & Wound Surgery
Diabetic foot surgery treats non-healing ulcers, infections, and deformities that put diabetic feet at risk. Procedures range from wound debridement to bone reshaping and are combined with circulation care to help prevent amputation.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
45 to 120 minutes
Anesthesia
Sedation with regional block
Recovery
Same day discharge
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
Diabetic foot problems progress quickly. Debridement, infection control, and correction of deforming pressure points stop that progression and give a wound a chance to close.
Care is coordinated with vascular evaluation, because circulation determines whether a wound can heal at all.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- A foot ulcer that has not improved in four weeks
- Infection, drainage, or exposed bone
- Deformity creating a repeated pressure wound
- Charcot changes or unstable foot architecture
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Debridement
Non-viable tissue is removed to convert a chronic wound into a healing one and cultures are taken.
Pressure correction
Bone prominences driving the ulcer are reshaped, or tendon lengthening reduces forefoot pressure.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Strict offloading with a boot or total contact cast is the single biggest factor in healing.
Weekly wound checks continue until closure, with vascular imaging if healing stalls.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose part of my foot?
The goal is always the opposite. Early treatment plus circulation care prevents most amputations.
How long until it heals?
Most ulcers close in six to twelve weeks with offloading and adequate blood flow.
Is diabetic foot surgery done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
