‘I got scared when I Googled it' – Former world darts champion Michael Smith fears he needs major surgery
The St Helens darts star – who has slumped to 21 spot in the world rankings – is in constant pain and a fortnight ago, he was told by medics he has severe osteoarthritis in his shoulder.
2
Smith, 34, earned the title of World Champion back in 2023 after beating Michael van Gerwen in the final.
Since then, he has struggled to stay at the top of the darts world due to the emergence of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler.
However, the former champ is set to continue his career with the help of injections.
Due to his condition, he will be left potentially needing surgery after he retires from darts.
When the father-of-two went online for more information and googled the condition, he admits he got 'scared' by the diagnosis and the long-term implications.
Bully Boy could ultimately require a shoulder replacement by the time he is in his mid-forties.
Separate from these challenges, he has struggled to walk properly on his left foot – he has taken antibiotics and painkillers to curb the agony – and a course of steroids might be on the agenda.
He told Online Darts: "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.
"The next step now is injections for my shoulder and wrist.
Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology
"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 does not currently have a next match scheduled.
He recently missed out on qualification to the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013.
His last time at the oche ended in defeat as he was beaten in the first round of the Players Championship 21 by Polish ace Krzysztof Ratajski.
When Smith won the world title after years of heartbreak – he beat Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in the final and hit a nine-darter – he celebrated throughout the following season, and even had a wild holiday in Las Vegas with his wife.
However, his second-round defeat in December 2024 to Dutchman Kevin Doets meant he dropped £485,000 off his rankings, denying him a spot in some TV events.
Smith has essentially written off the rest of this year in terms of performances but he is determined to return to form at the PDC World Darts Championship – where there is £1million on the line for the winner.
On September 20, he will undergo eye laser surgery, which will mean skipping some European Tour events.
He added: "This is not going to stop me. I'll be back. 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.
"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.
"I managed my schedule poorly when I became World Champion. I didn't do the full year as much as I should.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'I got scared when I googled it' – Michael Smith diagnosed with 'severe' condition
Michael Smith has fallen to 21st in the rankings after struggling with a series of health problems, but the 34-year-old ex-world champion is determined to return to the top Darts star Michael Smith has revealed the extent of his health problems after tumbling down the rankings. Smith beat Michael van Gerwen to win the World Championship in 2023 but is now ranked 21st in the world. The 34-year-old has been absent from recent competitions due to a variety of health problems, including issues with his shoulder, wrist and foot, which he has now opened up on. Bully Boy has been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in his shoulder and believes his body is 'just packing up'. While he is confident of returning to the oche at the highest level, with injections an option, he thinks surgery may be necessary further down the line. "I got my MRI back for my shoulder. I've got severe osteoarthritis or something like that—I can't even say it properly,' he told Online Darts. '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 previously struggled with serious pain in his foot, which still remains without a proper diagnosis. 'Before the last Pro Tour, I struggled to walk on my left foot. At first I thought it was gout,' he added. 'But it went on for weeks and my foot swelled like a balloon. 'I've had blood tests, x-rays, antibiotics, painkillers – they're even talking about steroids now. It might be arthritis in my foot as well. My body's just packing up.' Smith has been a constant at the top of darts for some time, but recently missed out on qualification to the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013. In his last match he was beaten in the first round of the Players Championship 21 by Krzysztof Ratajski and says his health issues hampered him. 'It's not nice slipping down the rankings, but I've had a couple of semis on the floor and a UK Open semi-final this year. Still, it's not where I want to be,' he said. 'It's consistency that's missing. I'm not blaming my shoulder – it's my head. I go into matches thinking, 'I hope my shoulder doesn't click or my wrist doesn't give out.' They're fine, but it's me worrying. That's the real issue.'
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Crystal Palace boss expects Eze and Guehi to start on Thursday night
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi will start Thursday night's Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad. Despite persistent transfer speculation linking Eze to Tottenham and Guehi to Liverpool, Glasner stated both players are committed and expected to give 100 per cent while under contract. Glasner expressed surprise at the media's focus on their potential departures, highlighting their strong performance in the recent draw against Chelsea. Guehi's contract with Palace runs until next summer, while Eze's deal extends to 2027, with his reported £68million release clause having expired last Friday. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson echoed his manager's sentiments, praising Eze and Guehi's professionalism and dedication to the team.
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Hunger-driven A&E admissions spiral amid cost-of-living crisis
Hungry patients are overwhelming NHS emergency departments at unprecedented levels, researchers claim. Admissions to hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) units because of hunger have more than tripled, rising by nearly 219 per cent in five years, figures suggest. Analysis of NHS data shows a lack of food was the fastest growing cause of A&E admissions in England between 2018-19 and 2023-24, as food prices and poverty spiralled. As the cost-of-living crisis gripped the UK, experts repeatedly warned that households were being plunged into poverty, with food bank use soaring and charities finding parents going hungry so their children could eat. Health experts warned in 2022 that millions of people were facing a 'significant humanitarian crisis', exacerbated by rocketing fuel bills. In 2018-19, 70 patients needed emergency care for hunger, the statistics show, but the figure shot up to 230 after five years – a 218.5 per cent increase. Paula Lingard, of the ID Band Company, which analysed the NHS data, said: 'The significant rise in admissions related to lack of food is particularly concerning and may reflect growing food insecurity in England, highlighting the importance of addressing basic needs as part of our approach to public health.' Recently, the Resolution Foundation think tank said the outlook for living standards for UK households remains bleak for the rest of the 2020s, which it said could become 'the first decade of the modern era to witness no improvement in disposable incomes across Britain'. Household debts have continued to rise since last year. The biggest actual increase in A&E admission numbers over the five years was down to adverse reactions to standard medical procedures. Cases rose from 40,881 to 103,295 over the five years – a 144.9 per cent increase. Environmental pollution-related illnesses caused the second-biggest proportionate rise in admissions, increasing by 191 per cent in five years. Patient numbers tripled from 16 to 48. Surgical errors drove the third-highest percentage jump, with emergency figures rising 179.9 per cent. NHS records show 4,094 patients needed urgent treatment after medical mishaps in 2023-24, against 1,418 in 2018-19. Cardiovascular equipment problems more than doubled, from 325 to 775. But cases of self-harm fell, with deliberate drug overdoses dropping by nearly half between 2018 and 2024, from 12,298 to 6,499. Shotgun and rifle assault injuries dropped from 56 in 2018-19 to just 17. The Independent has approached the Department for Health and Social Care for comment.
