Clavicle Fractures
These injuries frequently follow sporting trauma. The patient lands on the tip of the shoulder and all the weight of the body goes through the clavicle and hence it breaks. These fractures do not to be fixed universally. There are absolute indications and relative indications. If the bone is sticking out through the skin then this needs an operation. If there is significant deformity this does not necessarily need fixing but we would usually fix them in anticipation of the deformity leading to impaired function (this is debatable).
There are risks with surgery as there are large arteries, veins and nerves just underneath the clavicle and very rarely these can be injured. In some cases it is best to manage the fracture without an operation while in others it is best that the bone be fixed. Your surgeon can discuss the relative merits of surgery with you.