Is hardware removal worth it?

I’m 9 months orif post op and the discomfort has gotten worse. I can feel irritation from the plate. I have pain going through my calf up to behind my knee. I am a hair stylist and on my feet all day so it’s becoming unbearable. My ortho said he will remove the hardware but said my pain “is a gift from my injury” and will be with me the rest of my life. The plate is pretty prominent and I have constant tenderness and soreness in that area. It feels like I’ve been kicked in the side of my leg. I’ve read here that hardware removal does make a difference. I don’t want to go through another surgery if it doesn’t.