A surgical instrument system comprises surgical instruments for use with an implantable interspinous device having at least one pair of wings for securing the implantable device to a spinous process. The instrument system may include a surgical instrument for expanding or spreading the pair of wings to accommodate the spinous process. Further, a surgical instrument may be provided for crimping or compressing the pair of wings against the spinous process for secure attachment of the device to a vertebra. The surgical instruments may be configured similar to pliers and apply force to the pair of wings within a predetermined range so as to avoid damage, weakening or breakage of the pair of wings. The surgical instrument system may also include interspinous devices of differing sizes.