A bit OT, but does it depend on the metal used? My wife's wrist was reconstructed using a set of metal plates after it was shattered a few years ago. However, she's had at least three MRIs (for an unrelated problem) since then. The plates may be titanium and not surgical steel, so perhaps that's the difference?
Yes, non ferromagnetic materials are still subject to some inductive heating due to eddy currents* but I have no feeling for how much.
*I've had the pleasure of being MRI'd a few times in a 4 Tesla research MRI (normal MRI's operate around 1.5T) and occasionally I would get nerve stimulation due to eddy currents set up in tissue. An interesting feeling!
Could be. I'm in a similar situation as your wife -- wrist and partial hand reconstruction -- but I'm under strict guidance to avoid MRIs, and have to report as such at hospitals and doctors' offices. I've also got a metal fixture in one of my toes on my left foot -- but, for whatever reason, that one's never caused an issue. Pretty sure the toe plate is titanium, and the assorted hardware in my wrist and hand are not.
