Abstract: An adjustable foot or head portion of a hospital stretcher or bed with improved construction for easy manipulation without binding. A pair of hinged braces have a series of notches along one edge which engage protruding lugs on the stretcher for various height adjustments. A transverse spacer joins the braces adjacent the notches to insure sufficient lateral clearance for smooth movement between various height adjustments of the mattress support. Also, a separately formed U-shaped retention member connected to each brace maintains the lug in close proximity to the brace notches during adjustment.