A surgical tensioning assembly providing a means to apply a variable and selective force to tissues, such as replacement ligaments, during a ligament reconstruction surgery. The assembly provides a means to apply a selective, measurable and a generally balanced force on multiple tissues. One embodiment of the tensioning assembly includes a set of subassemblies, namely an engagement subassembly, a variable force subassembly and an equalizing subassembly. These subassemblies are operably connected to each other such that they are able to provide tension on tissues connected to the assembly. In one embodiment the tensioning assembly further includes a mounting subassembly that provides a means to connect the tensioning assembly to a persons body. Methods of use of the surgical tensioning assembly are also disclosed to include novel methods of cycling and conditioning tissue used in a knee ligament replacement surgery.
