Staple Removal - Knee. Should I, shouldn't I?

[AlfaPapa]

I'm struggling to find people who have had metal work removed from their knee joints, so hoping there may be a few on here who can share their experience with me.

I have a loose staple in my knee, which may or may not be causing a few issues including cramp-like shooting pains as well as it being very tender to touch. If i roll onto my side in the night it wakes me up, and it protrudes such that I catch it on things (like the water bottle on my bike yesterday during the Velo *eugh*).
X-ray below for those who like that sort of thing...



I've been offered surgery to have it taken out. Simple keyhole day surgery.

However, I'm managing pretty well and doing a lot with my knee (ML training, regular long weekends in the mountains wild camping, I'm climbing again in an adapted way and cycling including 100 miles yesterday). Do I go through the surgery to hopefully reduce the shooting-cramping pain and maybe mean I can sleep a little better, or leave it as it is functioning pretty well?

Has anyone had anything similar, and can share their experience?

Thanks!

[Steviesam]

Just whip it out yourself with some pliers.

[WinstonWolf]

I had far bigger than that removed (with Mole grips apparently), it's much more comfortable with it gone. Mine was a Zickle nail protruding into the joint space.

[The_Doc]

Easy to take out, if it (and you're sure) bothers you, then lose it.

The scar tissue may still give symptoms afterwards, but the protruberance will be gone.

I find no problem with the procedure, but I am at the blunt end of the knife

[AlfaPapa]

The_Doc said:

Easy to take out, if it (and you're sure) bothers you, then lose it.

Thanks The Doc - appreciate your candour.
It may or may not be the cause of the issues I've been having, it could be any one of the other big bits of metal or scar tissue in my knee. However, it's the only one I can actually feel protruding and the only disposable piece of metal work.

Hopefully I'll be up and fit enough for a mountain training day by the 13th