Torture Method #17:

Used frequently during the Spanish Inquisition, the knee splitter, naturally, was used to split a victims knee. The device was built from two spiked wood blocks with a screw at the back, and was clamped on the front and back of the knee. One turn of the screw and so a knee was easily, and painfully, crippled. It was also used on other parts of the body.

*Cringes slightly at the thought*