Hi and welcome to NT

Just thinkin'....

They'll use the procedure diagnostically, to determine the site of pain by the numbness effect, hence, noticeably no pain or less pain would indicate positively that the hardware is the culprit.

and yes, removing it would be a surgical procedure, with all the risks and benefits that go along with it.

Pain is a horrible thing to endure. if they know it's the cause, then I'd have to want it taken out in the near future.

There's lots of info here, so look around. There's something for everyone here.