Hi Ed…gees….sounds tough! But you sound just as determined!….and that always works in one’s favor (in my humble opinion)!
Yes…I did alot of homework. My idiopathic peripheral neuropathy has not gotten to the point where my balance is being affected. However, my feet sometimes show me how the numbness was advancing in my feet: like when my nephew took me out on his boat and when I attempted to dive off, my toes gave out! my lower legs would have hit the edge of pontoon but something told me to bend my knees and so I ended up with a huge belly flop. The same day on way to car I asked my nephew if he could grab my phone in the boat (I accidentally left it…I thought). He said he had put my phone in my shoes…but I said no, I have my shoes on. Something clicked in my brain and I took off my shoes….there in the left shoe was my phone. That was in 2018. Progression has been slow (diagnosed in 2010. I am now 73). Bone on bone knee arthritis diagnosed 2 years ago.
I read as much medical literature that’s out there as I can.
I don’t know if you have any other health factors that would add concern to a good orthopedic surgeon (like heart disease, diabetes, muscle wasting, grossly over or under weight, etc…) but I do know I ended up with a surgeon I liked immediately but was still hoping I had made the right decision. TKR is a huge undertaking for the body. Sounds as though you have read all that’s “out there” as well.
I did end up going to a surgeon who was trained in “minimally invasive” (not robotic) TKR (also known as “Jiffy” TKR).
Each patient has their own health history that they bring to “the table” (quite literally) and each surgeon has his/her strengths. It is not easy to navigate today’s healthcare system. Sounds like you have tackled the big questions. Always look for that “open door” that may have new info and new answers. Take care, Ed. Will send a prayer “up there” just for you ⚡️☺️Tracy (ie: “Galactic33)