A surgical bone tie 10 for use in joining abutting bone surfaces for fusing or knitting of the bone together. The tie 10 comprises first and second pieces 11, 12 each having a proximal end region 13, 21 and a distal end region 14, 22 which define a longitudinal axis therebetween. The distal end regions 14, 22 are each provided with a mounting feature 15, 23 for fixing to respective underlying portions of bone. The proximal end regions 13, 21 of each pieces 11, 12 are adapted for engagement together along said axis so that one proximal end region 21 may be accommodated by the other proximal end region 13 to provide a bridge between the respective distal end regions, the engagement permitting one way travel of one piece progressively towards the other. The engagement between the proximal end regions preferably comprises a ratchet and pawl 20 connection. The ratchet may be an axially oriented rack, and the pawl 20 a cantilever spring member mounted in a hollow sleeve.
