An expandable support device for orthopedic treatment comprising: a first end ring (106, 108, 174) having a first end ring opening, wherein the first end ring is at a first terminal end of the device; a plurality of links, wherein at least some of the links are attached to at least one other link at a joint (22, 24), and wherein at least some of the links and joints (22, 24) form cells (2, 34, 36, 152, 192,194); and wherein the device has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the device has a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein when the device is in the first configuration the device is radially contracted about the longitudinal axis and has a first length, and when the device is in the second configuration a first longitudinal end of the device and a second longitudinal end of the device are radially contracted about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the device has a second length when the device is in the second configuration; and wherein the plurality of links comprise a first link and a second link attached to the first link, and wherein the first link has a first link angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device, and wherein the first link angle is greater than zero and less than perpendicular when the device is in the first configuration; and wherein the first link joins the second link at a first joint (22, 24), and wherein a third link joins a fourth link at a second joint (22, 24), and wherein the third link attaches to the first link at a third joint (22, 24), and wherein the fourth link attaches to the second link at a fourth joint (22, 24), wherein a joint line between the first joint (22, 24) and the second joint (22, 24) in the first configuration is parallel with the longitudinal axis; and wherein a middle length of the device between the first longitudinal end of the device and the second longitudinal end of the device is more radially expanded about the longitudinal axis than the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the device, and wherein the first longitudinal end comprises a cell (2, 34, 36, 152, 192,194). a first end ring (106, 108, 174) having a first end ring opening, wherein the first end ring is at a first terminal end of the device; a plurality of links, wherein at least some of the links are attached to at least one other link at a joint (22, 24), and wherein at least some of the links and joints (22, 24) form cells (2, 34, 36, 152, 192,194); and wherein the device has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the device has a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein when the device is in the first configuration the device is radially contracted about the longitudinal axis and has a first length, and when the device is in the second configuration a first longitudinal end of the device and a second longitudinal end of the device are radially contracted about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the device has a second length when the device is in the second configuration; and wherein the plurality of links comprise a first link and a second link attached to the first link, and wherein the first link has a first link angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device, and wherein the first link angle is greater than zero and less than perpendicular when the device is in the first configuration; and wherein the first link joins the second link at a first joint (22, 24), and wherein a third link joins a fourth link at a second joint (22, 24), and wherein the third link attaches to the first link at a third joint (22, 24), and wherein the fourth link attaches to the second link at a fourth joint (22, 24), wherein a joint line between the first joint (22, 24) and the second joint (22, 24) in the first configuration is parallel with the longitudinal axis; and wherein a middle length of the device between the first longitudinal end of the device and the second longitudinal end of the device is more radially expanded about the longitudinal axis than the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the device, and wherein the first longitudinal end comprises a cell (2, 34, 36, 152, 192,194).