Former world darts champion Michael Smith has revealed he is suffering from arthritis in his right hand.
Smith lifted the lid on his recent injury issues after he was knocked out of the World Masters on Thursday.
His 3-1 defeat to Dutchman Danny Knoppert in Milton Keynes followed his shock second-round exit to Kevin Doets at the World Championships last month, resulting in him losing his spot for the upcoming Premier League Darts.
Amid his recent slump in form, Smith took to social media to underline his injury woes and revealed he once played in a world final with a broken wrist.
He wrote: “Feels like this needed to be said as I’m annoyed seeing I’m finished or what’s happening it’s this or that.
“The last six weeks I’ve had grade two AC [acromioclavicular] shoulder injury and seeking physio every two-three days to help that but for three-four 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 given 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 Prem or losing World Series but I wasn’t picked anyway so why not now.
“I see the specialist 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. To all my fans. BullyBoy.”
official PDC dartsSmith was beaten in round one of the Masters by Danny Knoppert[/caption]
PDCStephen Bunting was given a scare but battled his way through to the last 16[/caption]
Elsewhere, defending champion Stephen Bunting came through a final-leg decider with William Borland unscathed to advance to a last-16 clash with Peter Wright at the Masters.
Bunting, who reached the semi-finals of the World Championships before winning the Bahrain Masters earlier this month, was pushed all the way by Borland who took the first two sets.
‘The Bullet’ hit back and held his throw under pressure before claiming the decisive final set.
Qualifier William O’Connor shocked 2018 world champion Rob Cross with a stunning 3-1 win.
World No.1 Luke Humphries got the better of 2022 Masters winner Joe Cullen 3-1.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Luke Littler kicks off his Master campaign against Andy Baetens on Friday.
