A surgical tensioning device for dynamically holding two tissue portions in contact with one another comprises a resilient member having a plurality of extending portions which are spaced from one another and are capable of resiliently moving toward and away from one another. A plurality of attachment points are provided on the resilient member, for attaching a securing member, such as suture or a surgical screw, thereto. A spacer member is placeable between the plurality of extending portions to retain the extending portions at a fixed distance from one another, and is removable from between the plurality of extending portions after the securing members are in place so that said tension is transferred from the spring to the suture or other securing members. The result is an ability to hold two tissues in a state of compression beyond that which is commonly and consistently achieved with the hand tying of sutures.
