I am so sorry for all that you are going through! It sounds like to me that you had an allergy to nickel. It is very common but many surgeons and medical practices never even think to ask if you have had any reactions to nickel. Many people who I know who have had TKR were never asked and it turned out that they were lucky. The only way that I knew was that many years ago, when I would buy cheap pierced earrings, I would break out in a rash on my earlobes and they would swell and itch. When I was about to have knee replacement, the dr asked if I had a nickel allergy and sent me for testing. The tests showed a HUGE allergy to nickel, so with the replacement, he ordered a nickel free one. You should go back to your surgeon and tell him, along with letting him see, all that you are going through. You may have to have the original replacement removed and have a nickel free one put in. Sending you my best wishes.