Problem: ulcer, heel-pain and sports letters each need different evidence — perfusion, mechanics, load history — and writers apply one generic shape to all three. Answer in brief: three clinical domains with their own evidence sets, all poured into one paragraph-planning template. This guide teaches the domains and the template with a worked ulcer referral, and OET Writing for Podiatrists — Course 2 trains ulcer, heel-pain, sports and tendinopathy letters across 13 topic sections.
Three domains, three evidence sets
Ulcer domain: size, depth, tissue type, exudate, odour, periwound skin, perfusion (pulses, doppler, toe pressures), infection markers, glycaemia, offloading status. Heel-pain domain: onset pattern (first-step classic), tenderness point, imaging (spur? fascia thickness?), footwear, load changes, trials so far. Sports/tendon domain: load history, pain behaviour (start-up vs through-activity vs after), strength and function tests, prior rehab with response. Same letter shape; different evidence poured in.
Domain A: diabetic foot ulcers with ischaemia and infection
The two questions that matter: is there enough blood to heal, and is infection spreading? Perfusion evidence (palpable pulses? doppler waveforms? toe pressure numbers?) and infection evidence (cellulitis extent in centimetres, systemic signs, CRP trend, cultures with sensitivities) each get their own paragraph weight. Glycaemic context and offloading complete the picture. The request names vascular assessment, admission, or IV-antibiotic setting explicitly — ischaemic infected ulcers choose the setting, not just the specialist.
Train all three domains supervised? The full OET Writing for Podiatrists — Course 2 covers ulcer, heel-pain, sports and tendinopathy letters with the paragraph-planning template across 13 topic sections and mock tests. Explore the course →
Domain D: heel pain, sports injuries, tendinopathy
Load history is the background that matters: running mileage changes, new footwear, occupational standing, weight change. Pain behaviour classifies (start-up pain easing suggests fascia; through-activity pain suggests tendon or stress injury). Trials with effect (orthoses? stretching protocol? shockwave offered?) show the referral is earned. The question names the intervention under consideration (injection? imaging? surgical opinion?) with the athlete’s or worker’s goal in one line.
The paragraph-planning template
P1: condition plus domain with the headline measure. P2: domain evidence complete (the checklist for that domain, every slot filled or marked). P3: trials and trajectory (what was done, what changed, over what time). P4: the domain’s question with timeframe. Plan on the template before drafting; examiners can feel templated thinking as organisation.
Worked example: infected ischaemic ulcer
Fictional case, newly written: Mrs Duarte, 66, diabetes, 2 cm plantar ulcer with cellulitis spreading 4 cm; pedal pulses faint, toe pressure 42 mmHg; CRP rising 48 → 96; swab pending; offloaded in boot; HbA1c 75; afebrile but frail.
Shape: purpose (urgent vascular-plus-infection review). Ulcer measures with spreading extent. Perfusion numbers with implication stated. Infection trajectory with CRP trend. Request: “I would appreciate urgent diabetic-foot review for revascularisation assessment and IV-antibiotic setting; she is offloaded and will attend today.” Setting chosen — roughly 175 words.
FAQs
Does a heel spur on X-ray matter?
Report it, but do not let it lead — spurs correlate poorly with pain. Lead with pain behaviour and load history; the image supports, never decides.
How much lab trend is enough?
Two points minimum with direction and implication (“rising despite oral antibiotics” argues the setting change). Single values without trends persuade nobody.
What is in the course?
Thirteen topic sections on ulcer, heel-pain, sports and tendinopathy letters with the paragraph-planning template, plus 5 complete mock tests.
The matching course
OET Writing for Podiatrists — Course 2 pours the right evidence into every letter: ulcers, heel pain, sports injuries, tendinopathy — 13 topic sections with the planning template and 5 mock tests. For feet described precisely, train here.
Sources and note
- OET Writing format per the official OET site: oet.com — Writing. Values above are illustrative fiction; follow local protocols in practice and current OET guidance for the exam.
- Course details verified from its public staging page (read-only): 13 topic sections, 5 mock tests.
- Case and letter lines are newly written and fictional; other valid structures exist.
Put this into practice
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