On three occasions:
I had wire and screws removed after 3 months for a broken knee cap.
Zikel nail for a broken hip after 1 year.
http://www.orthopaedicsone.com/displ...pophosphatasia
Also had two nails sticking out of my big dislocated broken toe, they had to be removed after 6 weeks since they stuck out--very bizarre!
Often these hardware get in the way of an active life style.
My understanding is that if you fall again with the hardware still in place it can then be disastrous.
Good luck