apparatus and methods are provided to allow attachment of one or more surgical cables in the form of a loop to selected portions of a patient &# 39 ; s body . the apparatus includes a cable tensioner which applies manual force to the surgical cable at a one to one ratio during installation . the cable tensioner includes a first handle fixed to one end of an elongated shaft and a second handle which is slidably disposed on the exterior of the elongated shaft . the second handle may include a unidirectional paw to allow movement of the second handle in only one direction towards the fixed handle . during the installation of two or more surgical cables , a tensioner may be engaged with each cable to allow the surgeon to alternately tighten and / or loosen the associated cable as required to provide the optimum mechanical support for the bones or other portions of the patient &# 39 ; s body which are engaged by the respective surgical cable loops . the elongated shaft may be modified to accommodate the use of various crimps and locks to securely engage a loop in the cable after the desired tension has been placed on the surgical cable .