Best advice regarding hardware removal after 3rd met orif? have a plate and 4 screws and wonder if the pain i still feel (6 mths after) is from that.

Get X-rays first: Get x-rays first to confirm healing. If the fracture has healed it won't be causing the pain. After 6 months and a healed bone, you can get the plate and screws removed. However, removing the hardware only has around a 60% chance of relieving the pain. Also, with the screws removed there are holes in the bone from the screws so you have to be cautious not to refracture for a few months.