A spinal correction apparatus comprising: an outer sleeve (42; 242) which defines a longitudinal axis (a; b), extends between a first end (44; 244) and a second end (46; 246) and includes an inner surface (50; 250) that defines a cavity (52; 252); a first longitudinal element (120; 320) and a second longitudinal element (122; 322); a first end cap (54; 254) disposed at the first end (44; 244) of the outer sleeve (42; 242) and including an opening (56; 340) which is configured for movable disposal of a first longitudinal element (120; 320); the first longitudinal element (120; 320) extending along the longitudinal axis (a; b) between a first end (124; 324) and a second threaded end (126; 326), first longitudinal element (120; 320) being inserted into the outer sleeve through the opening (56; 340) of the first end cap (54; 254), a second end cap (58; 258) disposed at the second end (46; 246) of the outer sleeve (42; 242) and including an opening (60; 260) which is configured for disposal of a second longitudinal element (122; 322), the second longitudinal element (122; 322) extending along the longitudinal axis (a; b), a ratchet (62; 262) disposed within the cavity (52; 252), the ratchet (62; 262) including a rack (64; 264) which is mounted to the inner surface (50; 250), a carriage (82; 282) including a threaded cavity (127; 344) which is in threaded engagement with the second threaded end (126; 326) of the first longitudinal element (120; 320), and a pawl (90; 290) connected to the carriage (82; 282), pivotable relative to the carriage (82; 282) and releasably engaged with the rack (64; 264) to facilitate axial movement of the first longitudinal element (120; 320); and a biasing member (358, 356) connected to the pawl to facilitate pivotable movement of the pawl (90; 290) relative to the carriage (82; 282) and to bias the pawl into engagement with the rack (64; 264), wherein the pawl (90; 290) and the rack (64; 264) are in a mesh engagement which prevents axial movement of the first longitudinal element (120; 320) relative to the outer sleeve (42; 242) in a direction opposite a first axial direction and which permits advancement of the first longitudinal element (120; 320) relative to the outer sleeve (42; 242) in the first axial direction. an outer sleeve (42; 242) which defines a longitudinal axis (a; b), extends between a first end (44; 244) and a second end (46; 246) and includes an inner surface (50; 250) that defines a cavity (52; 252); a first longitudinal element (120; 320) and a second longitudinal element (122; 322); a first end cap (54; 254) disposed at the first end (44; 244) of the outer sleeve (42; 242) and including an opening (56; 340) which is configured for movable disposal of a first longitudinal element (120; 320); the first longitudinal element (120; 320) extending along the longitudinal axis (a; b) between a first end (124; 324) and a second threaded end (126; 326), first longitudinal element (120; 320) being inserted into the outer sleeve through the opening (56; 340) of the first end cap (54; 254), a second end cap (58; 258) disposed at the second end (46; 246) of the outer sleeve (42; 242) and including an opening (60; 260) which is configured for disposal of a second longitudinal element (122; 322), the second longitudinal element (122; 322) extending along the longitudinal axis (a; b), a ratchet (62; 262) disposed within the cavity (52; 252), the ratchet (62; 262) including a rack (64; 264) which is mounted to the inner surface (50; 250), a carriage (82; 282) including a threaded cavity (127; 344) which is in threaded engagement with the second threaded end (126; 326) of the first longitudinal element (120; 320), and a pawl (90; 290) connected to the carriage (82; 282), pivotable relative to the carriage (82; 282) and releasably engaged with the rack (64; 264) to facilitate axial movement of the first longitudinal element (120; 320); and a biasing member (358, 356) connected to the pawl to facilitate pivotable movement of the pawl (90; 290) relative to the carriage (82; 282) and to bias the pawl into engagement with the rack (64; 264), wherein the pawl (90; 290) and the rack (64; 264) are in a mesh engagement which prevents axial movement of the first longitudinal element (120; 320) relative to the outer sleeve (42; 242) in a direction opposite a first axial direction and which permits advancement of the first longitudinal element (120; 320) relative to the outer sleeve (42; 242) in the first axial direction.