If a patient's foot is shifting medially in a UCBL orthosis, what modification should be made?

When a patient's foot is shifting medially in a UCBL (University of California Biomechanics Laboratory) orthosis, it indicates that the foot is not being adequately supported laterally, leading to excessive medial movement. Adding a medial post helps to provide the necessary support and control by blocking excessive movement toward the inside of the foot. This adjustment assists in realigning the foot and maintaining its proper position within the orthosis, thereby improving stability and reducing the risk of further medial drift.

The addition of a medial post creates a counterbalance to the natural forces that might be contributing to the medial shift, allowing for better alignment and function of the foot while in the orthosis. This modification is crucial in maintaining the correct biomechanics and enhancing overall patient comfort during walking or standing.

Other modifications, while they may have their specific uses in different scenarios, would not effectively address the issue of medial shifting in this particular case. For instance, increasing heel cup depth might enhance overall foot stabilization but would not specifically control the medial movement. Similarly, widening the forefoot or adding a lateral post would be aimed at different alignment challenges and would not correct the medial drift.