<P> Hip modification surgeries such as these usually result in reduction of hip function in return for improved quality of life, pain control, and a reduction in future risk . </P> <P> Hip replacement has the highest rate of success, especially in severe cases, since it completely replaces the faulty joint . It usually restores complete mobility if no other joint is affected, and also completely prevents recurrence . Hip replacement for dogs, can sometimes also be a preferred clinical option for serious dysplasia in animals over about 40--60 lb (18--27 kg), a weight that excludes certain other surgical treatments . </P> <P> Other options under exploration include: </P> <Ul> <Li> DARthroplasty (dorsal acetabular rim arthroplasty) is a technique developed by Dr. Barclay Slocum and Theresa Devine Slocum whereby cortico - cancellous bone strips, taken from the iliac crest, are contoured over the femoral head and sutured to the dorsal hip joint capsule and packed with additional cancellous bone graft dorsally to eventually anchor to drill holes in the original dorsal acetabulum . The new "shelf" eventually becomes an extension of the original acetabulum, thereby providing support and eliminating subluxation of the hip joint . The joint capsule becomes the new joint surface . </Li> <Li> Pubic symphysiodesis (also known as juvenile pubic symphysiodesis, or JPS), is a procedure for very young dogs that manipulates the way the pelvis grows to create a tighter hip . It involves cauterizing the growth plates of the pelvis, in other words, the part of the pelvis which would usually grow and spread in puppyhood, no longer does so . To compensate, the rest of the pelvis grows outward, in a manner which enhances the "socket" of the hip and provides better support than that dog would have had naturally . Since it relies on growth in puppyhood, it has a very tight window for surgery--currently no sooner than about 4 months and no later than about 5 months . This is compatible with hip scoring of puppies at 4 months . </Li> <Li> Capsular neurectomy is a procedure in which the hip joint capsule is de-nerved to reduce pain in the hip . This allows the dog to exercise moderately with less pain, thus preventing the leg muscles from weakening from disuse and providing less support to the bad joint . Both hips can be done at one surgery . This surgery should not prevent a future hip replacement, if a more complete fix is desired . </Li> </Ul>

What does hip dysplasia do to a dog