I broke my right clavicle in '08. Local Ortho Dr said it would heal on it's own in 6 weeks. I go for a follow up visit every week and after 5 weeks, he says that I am healing nicely. I replied that I disagree, and have no strength and lot's of pain. He looks at the X-Ray's again and says that I might need surgical intervention, aka "a plate". I got up, pushed him aside and left the office. Called around and found this great Dr sanders in Houston. He did the plate, told me it would never heal since it was the classic "over/under ride" break... meaning one part of the bone rode under the other and the two ends never touched, hence... a weak bond that would likely break just from lifting an object.

I went in, he did the surgery and I was out the next day, a Saturday. Monday I was back at work and that plate is still inside me to this day. I would never know that it is there... I can't even see a scar unless I really look close. He did say to be careful not to break it again with the plate attached. The plate would bend and hold my shoulder bent until surgery removed it, but it was my decision to keep it in unless mandatory.

I guess different Dr's have different opinions and different patients have different circumstances. Good luck with yours OP.

Oh, I almost forgot.... before you get the plate out, do a couple weeks of shoulder strengthening exercises to speed up your recovery.