A vertebral expandable implant, comprising: first and second bearing surfaces (7a, 7b) intended to move away from one another during expansion of the implant; first and second end members (3a,3b) associated with each of the bearing surfaces (7a, 7b); and at least a pair of supports (12,13,14,15) associated with at least one of the first and second bearing surfaces (7a, 7b) and at least one of the first and second end members (3a, 3b); characterized by: a retaining element for retaining the implant in an expanded configuration, wherein: the retaining element includes a first end associated with the first end member of the implant and a second end associated with the second end member of the implant; a first engagement element provided proximate the second end of the retaining element for engagement with a second engagement element provided on the second end member of the implant, wherein engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement element substantially prevents the second end member of the implant from moving away from the first end member of the implant. first and second bearing surfaces (7a, 7b) intended to move away from one another during expansion of the implant; first and second end members (3a,3b) associated with each of the bearing surfaces (7a, 7b); and at least a pair of supports (12,13,14,15) associated with at least one of the first and second bearing surfaces (7a, 7b) and at least one of the first and second end members (3a, 3b); characterized by: a retaining element for retaining the implant in an expanded configuration, wherein: the retaining element includes a first end associated with the first end member of the implant and a second end associated with the second end member of the implant; a first engagement element provided proximate the second end of the retaining element for engagement with a second engagement element provided on the second end member of the implant, wherein engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement element substantially prevents the second end member of the implant from moving away from the first end member of the implant. a retaining element for retaining the implant in an expanded configuration, wherein: the retaining element includes a first end associated with the first end member of the implant and a second end associated with the second end member of the implant; a first engagement element provided proximate the second end of the retaining element for engagement with a second engagement element provided on the second end member of the implant, wherein engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement element substantially prevents the second end member of the implant from moving away from the first end member of the implant. the retaining element includes a first end associated with the first end member of the implant and a second end associated with the second end member of the implant; a first engagement element provided proximate the second end of the retaining element for engagement with a second engagement element provided on the second end member of the implant, wherein engagement between the first engagement member and the second engagement element substantially prevents the second end member of the implant from moving away from the first end member of the implant.