has been obtained the locking member 106 is axially slid to cover the flexible section 128 of the outer member 104 the locking member 106 forces the inwardly protruding teeth 136 in place between the outwardly protruding teeth 112 and the tapering lip slides over the locking nub 138 and the locking nub snaps into the recess 146 if for any reason it becomes necessary to remove the expandable implant 100 the locking member 106 can be axially slid off the locking nub 138 and off the flexible section 128 the outer ends 110 120 can be brought together while the teeth 112 136 ratchet in a manner similar to the manner done during expansion once the implant is retracted a desired amount the implant can be removed it should be noted that although the outer member 138 is shown with a single locking nub 138 in other embodiments a second locking nub is disposed toward the outer end 120 of the outer member 104 this second locking nub may be used to securely hold the locking member 106 is the unlocked position during placement or distraction of the implant 100 in such an embodiment the interior surface 143 of the locker member 106 may have a tapered lip 144 at each end and in some embodiments an additional recess may be employed alternatively a single recess 146 may be used to secure the locking member 106 whether it is in the locked or unlocked position fig7 and 8 show alternative embodiments of the locking member 106 fig7 shows a locking member 150 formed of a band 152 and a gear box 154 the band 152 may be formed of a biologically compatible metal or other material.