A distractor, such as a pediatric mandibular distractor, comprises a housing member (110) elongated along a longitudinal axis, at least one distal footplate (120) attached to the housing member a drive rod (140) and at least one proximal footplate (130) configured to be driven by the drive rod. A housing engaging member (41) is configured to engage a drive rod engaging member (42) to prevent the housing from being rotated in either a first or second direction of rotation relative to the drive rod when a rotational force less than a predetermined force is applied to the housing or drive rod. The drive rod can be rotated relative to the housing in either the first or second rotational direction when a force greater than the predetermined force is applied to the drive rod or the housing.
