What does rearfoot posting mean?
Rearfoot posting refers to a shaped or angled modification beneath the heel section of an orthotic.
It changes the way the rear of the device sits against the shoe and can influence the support provided to the heel and rearfoot.
Where is the rearfoot post located?
It is positioned beneath or within the heel area of the orthosis rather than beneath the toes.
Some devices have the post built into the shell, while others use an added component.
What is the aim of a rearfoot post?
The aim can include improving stability, changing the way pressure is distributed or influencing rearfoot position during standing and walking.
The exact objective depends on the clinical assessment.
What do posting angles mean?
Posting may be described using degrees. This indicates the amount of angulation built into or added beneath the device.
A larger number should not be interpreted as simply stronger or better.
What is medial or lateral posting?
These terms describe the side and direction of the modification.
Because the effect differs, the direction should follow a defined prescription rather than guesswork.
Can posting affect the rest of the leg?
Changes beneath the foot can alter loading and movement higher up the lower limb.
That is one reason significant posting should be assessed in the context of the ankle, knee, gait and symptoms rather than the foot alone.
Is rearfoot posting the same as arch support?
No. Arch support contacts the midfoot, while rearfoot posting changes support beneath the heel area.
An orthotic can include both features.
Can a post be added later?
Some modular or professionally adjustable systems allow posting to be changed or added.
This should be done according to the intended system and clinical requirement.
Important: Do not add makeshift wedges beneath a prescribed orthotic. An uneven or unstable modification can change the way the device sits in the shoe.
When should posting be professionally assessed?
Professional selection is appropriate when a specific rearfoot correction is being considered, symptoms are complex or the wearer has significant instability, asymmetry or lower-limb problems.
