Michael Smith admits health condition ‘keeps getting worse’ and left darts star with no choice but to seek help
MICHAEL SMITH has opened up on his battle with arthritis.
The former darts world champion, 34, has been struggling with the condition in his throwing hand.
Having won the World Darts Championship in 2023 he has since fallen down the PDC Order of Merit, losing his place in the Premier League this year.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Bully Boy opened up on his condition.
He said: “I’ve had it for a few years now. It was always when it was winter so I thought it was just the cold affecting it.
“But it just keeps getting worse and worse. My wrist will start swelling up and the constant pain where I can’t bend it so it is getting a bit difficult.”
Having gone into the tournament as second seed, Smith was upset by Kevin Doets in the second round of this year’s World Darts Championship.
Asked if the pain is what affects him so much, he replied: “Yeah I think so because when I went to see the specialist yesterday he said I’m restricted a bit with my right wrist so it wasn’t bending as much as it should.
“So I’ve got an MRI scan tomorrow and then we can from there, see how it is.”
Quizzed if he ever suspected that his problems stemmed from arthritis, he said: “It was there because I broke both my wrists when I was 19 so it was going to catch up with me eventually so I think it has now.”
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Smith went on to lift the lid on how his condition has affected his darts routines.
On how it has impacted how much he can practise, he said: “It doesn’t affect the amount of practise, I’ve just got to split up.
“I normally I would do four or five hours straight with no stops, now I’ve got to do maybe 20 minutes with a five minute stop, half an hour with a 10 minute stop.
“But it should be fine, it’s just a lot of painkillers but hopefully the medical team now can figure it out… if it’s PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections or maybe cortisone, I don’t know.”
Smith has been supported by wife Dagmara and their two sons.
On how his family have helped him cope with his arthritis, in addition to a separate shoulder problem, Smith admitted: “The shoulder issue is my fault so they’ve been great with that.
“Since Christmas Day I’ve not been able to function with my shoulder properly, I’ve got a Grade Two AC (acromioclavicular) joint in my shoulder that’s popping out.
“It’s been hard but it’s also been good with the family around me helping me out along the way.”