The invention is an insertion tool for wrapping an orthopedic wire around a bone. The tool has a memory loop made of memory-shaped material which, when unconstrained, curves to a pre-determined diameter. A push-pull mechanism in the tool body is used to selectively move the memory loop in and out of the tool body. A cutter is provided at the insertion end of the tool body, to cut through tissue close to the bone. When pushed out of the tool body in a direction tangential to the perimeter of a bone, the memory loop automatically curves and wraps around the bone. Orthopedic wire is then attached to the memory loop, which is then pulled back into the tool body, pulling the orthopedic wire around the bone. A cable adapter facilitates coupling any conventional orthopedic wire to the insertion tool.
