Clavicle surgery... pretty worried

I had clavicle surgery about 18-months ago...my rotator cuff was repaired at the same time.  I understand being nervous...I was too!  Surgery took longer than they expected and they ended up keeping me over night.  The blood transfusion paperwork you mention I think is just a percaution...if there is too much bleeding then they need to get you more blood.  Surgery is never fun but if you are getting the 2nd opinion and they say it's necessary then just prepare yourself mentally that you need to do it.  The rehab was the worst part for me.  Do everything that the PT ask you to do...but don't do anymore than they recommend.  you'll be swimming, riding and running again before you know it.  OH, and as the other poster mentioned, take the pain killers that first week!

I'd definitely recommend the surgery.  I had a non-union for a year  (they tried everything, including electro-stimulus).  Then when none of this worked my ortho decided to put the plate in -- instant relief!  The plate stayed in for a year, then he removed it because it was visible.  (He said that for guys quite often he leaves it in.)  The only ill-effects I had while the plate was in was some restricted movement.  I didn't have a frozen shoulder and didn't need any PT, but my break was in the middle of the clavicle.  I had an overnight stay in the hospital when he put the plate in because it was close to my lung, but the removal was outpatient.  Good luck, you'll do fine!

Get another opinion.  I would not let anyone plate my clavicle unless the bone was thru the skin.  Non unions are extremely rare.  You trade a scar for  bump or vice versa.  Surgery is never without risk and the plate needs to be removed frequently because it is a relatively subcutaneous bone.  Feel free to PM me if you have more questions