Abstract: A device for indicating the force applied by a tool comprises a bar arranged so as to be deflected in accordance with the force applied, a pair of spaced stops carried by the bar, a frame enclosing both stops with one end of the frame engaging one side of one stop and the opposite end of the frame extending past the other stop to define a space therebetween, and a load sensing member disposed in the latter space, whereby the deflection of the bar is converted by the two stops and the frame to a compressive force on the load-sensing member. The described load-sensing member is a photoelastic member and the described device in which it is used is a surgical spreader hand tool wherein the photoelastic member indicates to the surgeon the force applied.