Orthotic insert having heel post with contoured lower surface

A heel post for mounting to a substantially rigid plate member of an orthotic insert, said rigid plate member having a heel end and a forefoot portion extending to at least proximal a metatarsal head area of a foot and having a distal medial portion for engaging an insole of a shoe substantially along a transverse plane of said shoe, said heel post comprising:

• an upper end for being mounted to said heel end of said rigid plate member;
• and
• a lower end for extending downwardly from said heel end of said rigid plate member, said lower end of said heel post comprising:
• a generally planar lateral bottom surface that extends upwardly and laterally from said transverse plane, at a predetermined angle for engaging said insole so as to provide angular placement and limit pivoting motion of said heel post in a lateral direction;
• and
• a medial bottom surface that extends generally upwardly and medially from said transverse plane for freely interfitting with said insole and heel counter so as to avoid limiting pivoting motion of said heel post in a medial direction;
• so that said lateral bottom surface of said heel post engages said insole so as to arrest pivoting motion of said orthotic insert in said lateral direction as weight is borne on a lateral side of said foot at heel strike, and said distal medial portion of said plate member engages said insole so as to arrest pivoting motion of said orthotic insert in said medial direction as weight is shifted to a medial side of said foot as said foot progresses through a gait cycle.

An orthotic insert for removable placement in a shoe having an insole and a heel counter, said orthotic insert comprising:

• a substantially rigid plate member for engaging a plantar surface of a foot and having a heel end and a forefoot portion extending forwardly to proximal a metatarsal head area of said foot, said forefoot portion having a forward edge that generally follows a line of metatarsal heads of said foot and a distal medial portion proximate a first metatarsal head of said foot for engaging said insole substantially along a transverse plane of said shoe;
• and
• a heel post having an upper end mounted to said heel end of said plate member and a lower end, said lower end extending downwardly therefrom of said heel post comprising:
• a generally planar lateral bottom surface that extends upwardly and laterally from said transverse plane, for engaging said insole so as to provide angular placement and limit pivoting motion of said heel post in a lateral direction;
• a generally planar medial bottom surface that extends generally upwardly and medially from said transverse plane for freely interfitting with said insole and heel counter so as to avoid limiting pivoting motion of said heel post in a medial direction;
• and
• a generally planar central bottom surface that extends generally parallel to said transverse plane intermediate said lateral and medial bottom surfaces for engaging said insole so as to stabilize said heel post within said heel counter of said shoe and provide a gentle transition in said pivoting motion;
• so that said lateral bottom surface of said heel post engages said insole so as to arrest pivoting motion of said orthotic insert in said lateral direction as weight is borne on a lateral side of said foot at heel strike, and said distal medial portion of said plate member engages said insole so as to arrest pivoting motion of said orthotic insert in said medial direction as weight is shifted to a medial side of said foot as said foot progresses through a gait cycle.