Questions about JPS


What is JPS short for?
Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (now you know why we use JPS for short!)


What exactly is JPS?
It is a surgical procedure that destroys the front part of the pelvic floor growth center with electrocautery between 14-20 weeks of age. The result of stopping growth in the front and continued growth in the back half of the floor of the pelvis is a gentle turning of the acetabulum (cup) over the femoral head (ball) that makes it more difficult for the femoral head to move out of the cup during movement.

Why is this important?

Hip dysplasia is a loose fitting or lax hip joint. Any movement in
and out (laxity) results in repetitive trauma to the hip joint. This repetitive trauma will
ultimately result in hip arthritis. Less abnormal motion equal less arthritis.


Is timing for the surgery an issue?
Yes, yes, and yes! It needs to be done during the dog’s fast growth phase in order to
achieve suitable turning of the cup. 14-18 weeks is an ideal time but can be done as early as 12 weeks and as late as 20 weeks


Can it be done at the same time as spay or neuter?
Yes. JPS should NOT be done on dogs meant for breeding because it could modify the
dysplastic disease enough to produce normal hip x-rays at 2yr OFA hip screening.


Is my dog more painful after JPS plus sterilization then sterilization alone?
Does not seem to be the case.


How do we know if your dog has lax hips?
After sedation, a regular hip extended view of hips is taken. Then a second view with the
balls of the hip joints compressed into the sockets is taken. Finally, a distracted view with
a fulcrum between the hind legs is taken. If the hip joints are lax-the balls are
demonstrably partially to completely out of the sockets. . If hip joints have laxity from
slight to a moderate degree, then JPS is an ideal procedure. Not lax or very minimally
lax hips do not need the surgery. Very lax hips will need other surgical procedures
because JPS will not be effective.


Is there proof that JPS works as advertised?
From scientific papers presented from 2001 to the present-the answer is yes! Especially
compelling is a presentation by Dr. Aldo Vezzoni at the American College Of
Veterinary Surgeons in 2009 comparing conservative non surgical management )(183
dysplastic pups) vs. JPS( 172 dysplastic pups ). There were 193 pups that were
considered normal in the study to serve as a control group. His findings were that JPS
ALWAYS resulted in a better outcome than conservative non-surgical management. Itwas clinically most effective for arresting or limiting the development of canine hipdysplasia in puppies with slight to moderate signs of susceptibility to canine hipdysplasia. JPS did not have value for the puppies that were found to be severely hip dysplastic.