I had a titanium nail in my left tibia from a whitewater accident in ‘05. I could FEEL the nail (or maybe the screws) in my knee, caused some pain. I also worried about the “if you break this leg again with the nail in it will get…complicated.”! As soon as I was fully healed (about 18 months) I asked for removal. That surgery is indeed as traumatic as insertion! However, the pain resolved and I felt much better knowing it was out. I also have numb spots on knee and foot (prob. Compounded by nerve pinch) but no other issues. YMMV.