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'Worst case is a shoulder replacement': Michael Smith opens up on injury hell, remains defiant in bid to return to his best

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 11:52 AM ET

Michael Smith’s career has always been about fighting through adversity. From countless near misses on the biggest stages to finally lifting the World Championship trophy in 2023, “Bully Boy” has been defined by his resilience. But the last year has been one of the toughest yet not just on the board, but off it, as injuries, ranking drops and mental battles have tested him like never before.

In a wide-ranging and honest interview with Online Darts, Smith opened up on everything: from his diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis to missing the World Matchplay, from the mental toll of competing below his best to the quiet belief that he will rise again.

Injuries That Won’t Go Away

Smith began by explaining how things have been since his last competitive outings. “Good. I’ve enjoyed some time off. Not had a tough start since the last Pro Tour. It’s been hard, but it’s been good.”

But the conversation quickly turned to the injury that has dominated headlines since the Masters — his shoulder. “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. Worst case is a shoulder replacement, which isn’t great, but that would only be when I retire. For now, it’s injections.”

The scan results left Smith worried for his career. “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.”

Playing Through the Pain

Smith first made his condition public at the Masters, having previously tried to hide it. “Yeah, 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. I injured myself on Christmas Day and then the first out of three times was at the Masters, and I still averaged about 93. Since then I’ve had some 100+ averages, even 110 against Humphries, but then dropped back to the 80s and 90s. 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.”

For a player whose game thrives on rhythm, the mental burden has been almost as bad as the physical. “I had more problems too—before the last Pro Tour, I struggled to walk on my left foot. At first I thought it was gout. 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. Honestly, the worst thing I did was win the Worlds, because it’s like my body went, ‘You’ve finally done it, you can stop fighting.’ I need that fighting mentality back—my head and body need to get in gear.”

Searching for Solutions

Despite everything, Smith is exploring treatment options that could keep him on the tour without surgery. "The cortisone helps—I had one after the Masters and then made the UK Open semis. But I’ll need PRP too. I’ve got to figure out my foot as well. It’s a vicious cycle. But it won’t stop me—I don’t know anything else but darts and fighting.”

But mentally, the strain has been just as difficult as the pain. “That’s why I didn’t go to Germany. I missed the two European qualifiers and two Pro Tours. Missing the Matchplay annoyed me, but mentally I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want people thinking, ‘Michael Smith used to average 100+, now it’s 93.’ I’d rather wait until I’m right. I’ve even pulled out of Belgium and I don’t care if I miss the European Finals. I’ve written most of the year off to get everything right. If I can build from December, get treatment and then win a f ew games at the Worlds, I could be back in the top 10 or higher.”

The Rankings Slide

Once World Champion, Smith now finds himself outside the elite top 16. But he isn’t panicked. “I don’t care for myself, but I know fans do. I’ll get back up there. People don’t realise—I lost £820,000 from two tournaments. I went out first round at the Worlds and lost £485,000 from my ranking in one go. It’s not that I’m playing badly, but poor schedule management after becoming World Champion hurt me. I focused on TV events and not the full year. It’s come back to bite me.”

Regret? None at all. “No, not one bit. I won the Worlds, and that’s what mattered. When I win it again, I’ll do it the way Humphries has done, playing the full year. Littler’s fresh, so he should be bouncing everywhere. I deserved time out after my win—it was my 12th season then. But this is the first time I’ve really been out injured. I’ve played through injuries before—broken hand, wrist problems—but now I’m paying the price.”

Missing the Matchplay

The World Matchplay at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens has always been special for Smith, but this year he was forced to watch from home. “Gutted at first. Lost in the last Pro Tour, then on the drive home I didn’t speak. But 20 minutes in, I just thought, ‘Oh well.’ It happens. I missed out before, years ago, and I’ll make sure I don’t again.”

Motivation and the Long Road Back

Despite everything, Smith believes the next success could be even sweeter than his World Championship triumph. “If I win the Worlds again, yeah. I believe I will win it again. It’s just patience, and that’s not my strength. I’ve bounced back from losses before, and this is just another stumbling block. The pain’s sti ll there, my wrist is still restricted, but it’s about adjusting.”

Support from within the game has been minimal, but Smith prefers it that way. “A couple. Jamie Banks and Dave Allen are the only ones from the PDC who messaged me. I’ve been left alone really, but I like it that way. Once I’m home, I switch off from darts. I don’t answer messages or calls. People asking ‘How are you?’ just reminds you what’s wrong. I’d rather deal with it myself.”

Fans have speculated whether he might pick up his old darts again, but Smith laughs off the idea.

“No. I don’t even know where they are. I put them in the Grand Slam trophy when I switched, and I think Kasper got them out once. My missus knows where they are, but I’ve never asked. They’ll go in a frame one day, but I haven’t touched them.”

Instead, he looks to reminders of past glory for inspiration. "Yeah, every day. There’s a big picture on my wall reminding me what I was and what I need to get back to. I know the glory days will return. I just need to stop moaning and get my head right.”

A Dangerous Seed at the Worlds

The World Championship looms large, and Smith will arrive as an unseeded threat — a position he relishes. “Definitely. I won’t go there thinking ‘I want to upset this guy,’ but it’d be nice to get Gezzy again—it’s been three years since he’s beaten me. If I’m playing at 90–95%, I can go far, even win it. At 100% I average 110+, so I know what I’m capable of.”

For all the pain, the missed events, and the ranking slide, Smith remains defiant. His message is simple: this is just another obstacle. “I don’t know anything else but darts and fighting. I will be back.”

This article first appeared on Dartsnews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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