Are stairs or a ramp better for a senior dog with joint problems?

Across specialist dog and IVDD-focused community threads we read, ramps are generally preferred for dogs with arthritis, back issues, or short-legged breeds (Dachshunds, Corgis) because they avoid the repeated impact of stepping. Stairs work well for small dogs with healthy joints and for owners who lack the floor space a ramp needs. For post-surgical or IVDD dogs, the consensus in the threads we read leans heavily toward a low-incline ramp.