3 weeks ago
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Former darts world champion Michael Smith fears he will need a new shoulder when he retires from the sport after admitting his body is 'literally packing in'.
Smith, 34, triumphed at the 2023 World Championships by defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final but has since slipped to 21st in the PDC rankings, with Luke Humphries and Luke Littler dominating the oche from an English perspective.
Bully Boy, as he is nicknamed, has admitted his fears after being diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in his shoulder, a condition which forces him to take injections in order to continue his darts career.
Having researched the condition online in an effort to learn more, Smith was stunned to discover the long-term implications.
Worst case scenario, the 34-year-old may need to undergo a shoulder replacement as early as his mid-forties.
Speaking to Online Darts, he said: 'I went on holiday, so it was the third one I missed. I got my MRI back for my shoulder. I've got severe osteoarthritis or something like that — I can't even say it properly.
Darts star Michael Smith fears he will need a new shoulder when he retires from the sport
The 34-year-old won the 2023 World Championships but has since slipped to 21st in the world
Smith, pictured embracing fellow Brit Luke Humphries, has severe osteoarthritis in his shoulder
'The next step now is injections for my shoulder and wrist. Worst case is a shoulder replacement, which isn't great, but that would only be when I retire. For now, it's injections.
'A new shoulder would be like learning to play again. I got scared when I Googled it. I just heard arthritis, but then all the stuff before it scared me.
'They mentioned cortisone for my wrist, PRP which I need too, and then shoulder replacement where they cut your rotator cuff.
'That's where I panicked. But the operation won't be until I retire anyway — 45, 46 maybe. For now, I'll just deal with it.'
Smith, who has failed to qualify for World Matchplay for the first time since 2013, currently takes antibiotics and painkillers to manage the condition.
Insistent that he will return to his best form soon, Smith labelled himself a 'sleeping giant', as he prepares to undergo laser eye surgery next month.
'This is not going to stop me. I'll be back,' he urged. 'I don't know anything else but to play darts and to fight.
'I'm a Manchester United fan. Like them, I'm a sleeping giant. I will wake up one day.
He was stunned to learn the long-term implications of the condition after researching it online
Labelling himself a 'sleeping giant', Smith vowed to be back to his best after a poor run of form
'At home, when I'm practising, I'm in a good place. I feel right. Then I go to Pro Tours and just one bad game, in your head, it just goes back to square one.
'My main issue now is getting everything right for December. Listen, if I win five games in the Worlds, I'm back in the top ten, it's like 200 grand.
'Everyone will forget my year then. If I want to win it, which I know I've done before – I've been in the final three times – I could be back in the top three or top four. Never say never.
'For me, I know I'll be back up there. It's the idiocy of when you see people's comments online.'
