Michael Smith has been struggling with a shoulder injury (Image: Getty)
Darts ace has teamed up with Manchester City physio Ben Thompson in a bid to revive his career after a painful 22mph e-scooter crash.
The former world champion, who dazzled at Alexandra Palace with a perfect nine-dart leg in the final against Michael van Gerwen, has slipped out of the top 16 in the world rankings just two years later.
Smith, who was also dropped from the Premier League roster, has been battling arthritis since breaking both wrists as a teenager, a condition worsened by a recent shoulder injury sustained while racing his son on an e-scooter.
As he prepares for the UK Open in Minehead, dubbed the FA Cup of darts, Smith is keeping his expectations in check but remains focused on regaining the form that once propelled him to world No.1.
Despite his struggles, Smith has turned down almost all exhibition offers to concentrate on restoring his consistency.
The 34-year-old shared: ” I had cortisone injections in my wrist three weeks ago, and my throwing hand is fine at the minute.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“It was a bit sore on the joint. First of all I threw a dart and it completely missed the board at home and hit the mural which I’ve just painted in my games room, so that was fun.”
“But for the last week and a half I’ve been able to practise for four hours a day, which I’ve not been able to do for the last 12 weeks.
“I’ve had the arthritis for years. The worst thing about going to Minehead is because it’s so cold there and the cold gets to my wrist. I’ve also got an issue with the AC joint my right shoulder, but that was my own fault.
“I did that on Christmas Day – I bought the kids two scooters, I thought I’d race one of them, I went over what I thought was a puddle but it was actually a pothole.
“I’ve hit that at 22mph, straight over the handlebars and hit my shoulder into the floor. I couldn’t pick my arm up for seven weeks. I also had a big cut. Even now I’ve still got a bit of bone sticking out in my shoulder.
Michael Smith has been working with a physio to help his physical issues (Image: Getty)
“I’ve got physio Ben Thompson working with me. My wife Dagmara met Ben at the Manchester Premier League meeting a while back.
“It’s mad that he’ll come to work on me after doing or Phil Foden’s ‘s legs and then be working on my back and shoulders!
“Ben says AC joint injuries are more common in rugby, and I’ve got a bit of bone that sticks out now, but I’m told that will never go away.”
Asked if he feared his career was over after his Christmas scooter crash and being left out of the Premier League cast, he insisted: “I’ve never feared anything. The pain isn’t great but there’s nothing that strong painkillers can’t help me to get through it.
“Obviously I was always going to get arthritis after breaking my wrists as a kid.”
The snooker star opened up about his past struggles, candidly admitting: “I got left out of the Premier League in 2021.
“I made the World Championship final that year, so maybe it’s just the kick up the a*** I needed. I didn’t get picked, I’ve just got to work harder.
“The plan is to work harder this year. I’ve turned down almost every exhibition to work hard on my game.”
This story originally appeared on the Mirror