"My eyes are getting lasered soon as well" – Michael Smith set to undergo eye surgery in addition to ongoing injury treatment

Former world champion Michael Smith has been forced to temporarily withdraw from several major darts tournaments due to persistent physical complaints. He suffers from arthritis in his throwing hand, an injury to his left foot and ankle, as well as a shoulder problem that has been bothering him for some time.

Smith, the winner of the 2023 World Darts Championships, has now cancelled for the upcoming Players Championships 22 and 23, as well as the 11th and 12th editions of the European Tour. Earlier, 'Bully Boy' had to miss out on the prestigious World Matchplay in Blackpool.

The 34-year-old darter from St Helens now also risks missing his participation in the World Grand Prix and the European Darts Championship. The combination of injuries and illness has severely affected his season, resulting in him dropping to 21st in the world rankings.

Smith, who still made history in early 2023 by defeating Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace in a spectacular final, has been in sporting trouble ever since. His last notable result was a second-place finish at the World Series of Darts Finals, where he lost to sensation Luke Littler.

Darting Promotions, Smith's management group, released an official statement Monday about their player's physical condition:

"We have become aware over the last few days of reports/comments on social media regarding Michael and his participation in events in the near future. Ourselves and Michael would like to provide a short update on the injuries which have been affecting him in recent months and assure fans that he will be back fully fit very soon."

"As you are all aware Michael has been suffering with arthritis in his right hand for a while and has recently developed a problem with his left foot/ankle. After recent blood tests this has revealed certain answers and we are now hopeful that with a course of medication these problems can be controlled in the future.

"As you will have seen Michael has withdrawn from this week's events in Germany, this is due to him requiring a scan on his shoulder which was damaged at Christmas time. This has been arranged for this week which unfortunately means he is unable to take part in the upcoming Pro Tours and European Tour qualifiers.

"We feel this is now the right time to hopefully resolve the above issues and allow Michael to get back to his best and be back playing the way we all know he can."

Through social media, Smith himself also made himself heard. In an honest and open message to his fans, he wrote:

"And get my eyes lasered in there also. I hope you will all understand. But I promise I'll be back and firing again few hiccups won't ruin me. I've proved that time and time again."

Earlier this year, Smith shared that he has been dealing with arthritis since he was a teenager, mostly due to previous wrist fractures. In a January post, he revealed:

"Feel like this is needed to be said as I'm annoyed seeing I'm finished or what's happening it's this or that. The last 6 weeks I've had a grade 2 AC shoulder injury and seeking physio every 2/3 days to help that but for 3/4 years I've been fighting something else. I broke both my wrists when I was 19 and now it's catching up with me and now suffering with arthritis to my right hand.

"This isn't sympathy or a cry for help. This is letting you all in to it. I've never give up or stopped from any pain.

"I played a world final with a broken hand. I made a UK Open final with a hole in my groin. I've won Pro Tours and Euros with problems with my ankle.

"What this statement means is this is me opening up and letting you all know. I didn't say earlier as I was scared of losing the Premier League or losing World Series but I wasn't picked anyway, so why not now? I see the specialist on Monday and when I know you will know what will happen over the next month or so. "I'll never let anything beat me and I promise I'll be back very VERY quickly."