i just found this group by chance, i was googling "if i can have the hardware removed". reading all these posts i am now determined to find another surgeon who will listen to my cripling pain he keeps telling me its "arthritis" my surgery was a yr ago may 20th, i had the option of a natural recovery or surgery with a plate a 6 screws, nwb for 7 weeks, i am still trying to walk normal but always in some kind of pain or discomfort. the big bump on the side of my knee hurts, i can literally feel the plate when i sleep and move my leg, i have complained to my surgeon so many times, had an Sri and he said "its arthritis", funny i never had or felt this arthritis before, not a day goes by where i dont have some kind of pain or discomfort. when i asked him if the hw can come out he said there is too much involved, opening up the scar, disecting everything around it... when i read these couple posts, their doctors are all for removing the hardware, im now seriously thinking about finding another orthopedic surgeon and getting their opinions. i cry and am "jealous" of those who have it remove and they say their pain is gone.