The 2026 issue of the Limb Preservation Journal by Wounds Canada is out, and the contributions assembled span six continents, a dozen clinical disciplines, and the full spectrum, from bench-level pathophysiology to patient narrative.
The 2026 issue of the Limb Preservation Journal features a newly published article by Georgia Krehbiel, MBA; Annkathrin Mathe, MSc; Cyaandi Dove, DPM; Joseph Mills, MD; and David Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, examining one of the most practical tools in modern limb preservation: the 3‑Minute Diabetic Foot Exam.
Titled “The Three‑Minute Diabetic Foot Exam: A Simple Intervention with the Power to Save Limbs,” the article addresses a critical and ongoing challenge in diabetes care —preventable, non‑traumatic lower‑extremity amputation — and presents a structured, time‑efficient solution designed for real‑world clinical practice.
Population-level prevention strategy
Editor in chief, Ahmed Kayssi, MD, shares about the article:
“Krehbiel and colleagues make the case for the three-minute diabetic foot exam as a population-level prevention strategy, one designed for the primary care clinician and community health worker who will encounter the at-risk patient years before the limb preservation specialist does.”
A Persistent Global Challenge
The article argues that despite advances in wound care, vascular intervention, and limb salvage technologies, diabetic foot complications remain one of the leading causes of non‑traumatic amputation worldwide. Too often, amputations are preceded by missed opportunities for early detection.
Peripheral neuropathy, ischemia, and structural foot changes can develop silently, placing patients at risk long before a wound appears. The article emphasizes that without routine screening, these warning signs frequently go unnoticed until disease has progressed.
Designed for Real‑World Care
Developed by ALPS Founding President Dr. David G. Armstrong, ALPS Founding Clinical Chair Dr. Joseph L. Mills, and colleagues, the 3‑Minute Diabetic Foot Exam was created to bridge the gap between best‑practice guidelines and the realities of busy clinical environments.
The exam focuses on three core elements:
- What to Ask – including prior foot wounds or amputations, neuropathic symptoms, glycemic control, smoking history, and vascular procedures
- What to Look For – skin breakdown, callus formation, deformity, signs of infection, loss of protective sensation, and indicators of impaired perfusion
- What to Teach – daily self‑inspection, appropriate footwear, and early reporting of changes
By emphasizing observation, touch, and patient engagement rather than specialized equipment, the exam removes common barriers to routine screening.
Explore resources: The 3-minute Diabetic Foot Exam
The ALPS 3‑Minute Diabetic Foot Exam video and clinical resources are freely available through the ALPS website and are designed for seamless integration into outpatient clinics, hospital systems, community health initiatives, and home‑based care
The Limb Preservation Alliance: Uniting Global Expertise
As a founding member of the Limb Preservation Alliance—alongside Wounds Canada, D-Foot International, The Caribbean Wounds Network, and theCanadian Podiatric Medical Association— ALPS is fostering global synergy in education, research, and clinical policy. Through this alliance, the organization champions an integrated, patient-centered approach to limb salvage.
Want to Learn More?
Read the full Limb Preservation Journal (May 2026): Go to Wounds Canada.