After the operation, there will be a period of rehabilitation and physiotherapy that will take place in order for the dog to get used to the new alignment of its hip joint, making it difficult to immediately ascertain the effectiveness of the procedure. In most cases, however, the dog will make a good recovery if the proper steps are taken to ensure it heals properly. That said, the dog may display signs of a somewhat altered gait and may still have some residual discomfort when walking for long periods of time (though this is more common in larger breeds who put more pressure on the joint). Instead of performing an excision arthroplasty, some owners may wish to explore alternative treatments such a full hip replacement. Although a prosthetic replacement for the femoral head and neck can provide greater stability and support to the joint, it should be remembered that they can cause damage to the supporting structures surrounding the hip, and will merely perpetuate problems in dogs suffering from hip dysplasia.