Thanks for the input. I'll have to ask my doctor what kind of stainless steel he used. I had no idea there were different kinds.
BTW, anyone have any experience with cold laser therapy? A friend suggested it. She has a friend who broke her ankle, never got back full range of motion, and then got cold laser therapy and now has full range of motion. I asked both my doctor (the surgeon) and my physical therapist about it, and neither knew anything about it. I just Googled it, and it seems very experimental, not covered by insurance, and no article specifically mentioned broken bones with a plate holding them together. I guess I'll try more conventional means of regaining full mobility first. I don't think I'm experiencing enough pain to make it worth the expense just for pain management. Also, how would the laser react to the metal in me? Would it not penetrate? Lots of unknowns.