The extensor retinaculum is often compromised during trauma or elective wrist surgery and can be used as an autograft in reconstructive procedures of the digits. The aim of this study was to observe alterations in wrist muscle forces following retinaculum resection and surgical repair. A validated physiological wrist simulator was used to replicate cyclic wrist motions in nine cadaveric specimens by applying tensile loads to six wrist tendons. No differences were observed in mean and peak muscle forces following retinaculum resection and reconstruction. Post-surgical force reduction of extensor carpi radialis brevis in extension and ulnar deviation was suggestive of tendon bowstringing. However, bowstringing did not result in clinically relevant alterations to the distribution of muscle forces in the wrist.