Posting
The addition of wedge-shaped material to the heel or forefoot section of a foot orthosis to alter the angle at which the foot contacts the ground.
Full Definition
In orthotic practice, posting refers to the controlled addition of material—typically dense foam, cork, or polypropylene—to the plantar surface of a foot orthosis to create a specific inclination at the rearfoot or forefoot. Rearfoot posting addresses subtalar and calcaneal alignment, while forefoot posting addresses metatarsal alignment. Editors must distinguish 'posting' from 'padding': posting is a structural modification that alters limb segment angles, whereas padding primarily redistributes pressure. The term appears in orthotic laboratory orders, prescription forms, and clinical outcome reports and should not be confused with digital or online 'posting' in any context.
Usage
Usage note: Always qualify 'posting' with its anatomical location (rearfoot or forefoot) and degree in clinical documents. The term 'wedge' may be used as a synonym in patient-facing materials but is less precise in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "The laboratory order specified four-degree lateral rearfoot posting to address the patient's supination moment." — Orthotic laboratory order form
- "Distinguish 'posting' from 'padding' when editing orthotic prescription documents, as the two terms describe structurally distinct modifications." — Editorial style guide