An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first shaft member, a jaw member extending distally from the first shaft member, a second shaft member, an ultrasonic blade extending distally from the second shaft member and positioned to oppose the jaw member, and a force-limiting hinge assembly operably coupling the shaft members with one another such that movement of the shaft members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position moves the jaw member and the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a clamping position for clamping tissue therebetween. The force-limiting hinge assembly includes a hinge arm fixedly engaged to one of the shaft members at a first end thereof and pivotably coupled to the other of the shaft members at a second end thereof. The hinge arm is configured to flex to regulate a clamping force applied to tissue clamped between the jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.
