I have had surgery done on 2 of my dogs for ED and have not done it on several others. Here's my feeling on the subject - IF your vet can actually see a fragment or chip floating about then surgery may be successful. The most successful surgery comes from arthroscopic procedures rather than conventional slash and tear surgery. It does the least damage to surrounding tissue. IF your vet can not see anything the I would wait on the surgery. IF your pup is negatively affected - meaning, he seems to be in pain and limits his activity due to that pain then consider the surgery if indicated IF your pup limps but it never slows him down and the limp is mild then let him be a dog and work it out. I don't know that there is a right answer. I do know that one of my dogs that limped had surgery on one elbow and not the other. Both elbows gave him problems til he died at 11 1/2 yrs. The other girl that had surgery always limped. Neither had arthroscopic so that may have added to the problems. I have not done any surgeries on my dogs nor have any been done. All limping problems seem to have worked themselves out over time.
Susan Ablon Gweebarra BMD Balch Springs, Tx http://www.pageweb.com/gwebara
