Limb Preservation: The Global State of Play in 2026 — Keynote at ADFA’s Inaugural Meeting in Paris #ActAgainstAmputation @ALPSLimb #DiabeticFoot #LimbPreservation #Paris

I was honored today to deliver the keynote lecture — “Limb Preservation: The Global State of Play in 2026” — at the very first scientific meeting of the Association Avicenne du Pied Diabétique (ADFA) in Paris.

ADFA is a newly established francophone association, founded in May 2025, dedicated to improving diabetic foot care across Africa and the broader French-speaking world. Their inaugural Interactive Day focused on offloading in the management of the diabetic foot — a topic near and dear to anyone in this space.

The organizers, led by Amini Triki and Dr. Chekhchoukh, President of ADFA, asked me to share a forward-looking perspective on where we are — and where we’re going — in diabetic foot management worldwide. The intention was to highlight encouraging developments and successful approaches that can inspire clinicians and motivate more healthcare professionals to become involved in diabetic foot care. I was happy to oblige.

There is much to be optimistic about. We have more tools in the toolbox than ever before — from advanced biologics and regenerative therapies to smart wearables and remote monitoring platforms that are extending the reach of the clinic into the home. The global community of limb preservation specialists continues to grow, and societies like ADFA are proof that the movement is reaching into regions where it is needed most.

But let’s be honest: the diabetes epidemic is accelerating fastest in parts of the world with the fewest resources. In sub-Saharan Africa, the predominant risk factor remains peripheral neuropathy, and patients still present late — often with infection and gangrene. Amputation rates in some settings remain staggeringly high. The gap between what we know and what we do remains the central challenge of our field.

What gives me hope is exactly this kind of meeting. A dynamic association bringing together clinicians from across the francophone world to learn, share, and commit to doing better. That’s how movements start. That’s how we close the gap.

Congratulations to ADFA on a terrific first meeting. I look forward to seeing this organization prosper.

#ActAgainstAmputation #DiabeticFoot #LimbPreservation #Offloading #ADFA #Paris #Keynote #DFU #GlobalHealth #Africa #Francophone #Prevention #AmputationPrevention @ALPSLimb @KeckSchool_USC @DFConference