Standing removal of the proximal aspect of an olecranon fracture in a mature horse

Summary A 12‐year‐old 450 kg Argentine polo mare presented with a dropped elbow and an unwillingness to bear weight after being kicked by another horse on the lateral aspect of the upper left forelimb. The mare was subsequently diagnosed with a displaced olecranon fracture that did not readily conform to the standard classification systems. Referral for surgical treatment involving open reduction and internal fixation was declined due to financial constraints. Due to the mare being unsuitable for breeding, and conservative treatment of displaced olecranon fractures being deemed to have an overall poor prognosis for return to full athletic performance, another treatment option was sought. Given the fracture configuration, standing surgical removal of the large proximal fragment was performed. The mare returned to full athletic performance 12 months post operatively without lameness. This case report describes an alternative treatment option for selected olecranon fractures.