MICHAEL SMITH has revealed that he missed his darts board at home as he began his recovery from cortisone injections.
Bully Boy, 34, has been suffering with crippling arthritis pain in both wrists, having broken both in a freak accident as a kid.
Michael Smith recently revealed that he’s been suffering with arthritis[/caption]
After crashing out in the first round of the World Championships in December, former champion Smith was left out of this year’s Premier League lineup.
Opening up on his recent ordeal ahead of the UK Open in Minehead, Smith said: “I’ve had cortisone injections in my wrist three weeks ago. My hand is fine at the minute.
“It was a bit sore on the joint. First of all I threw a dart and it missed the board at home and hit the mural which I’ve just painted in my games room, so that was fun.
“Right now it’s fine. For the last week and a half I’ve been able to practice 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 has been going to Minehead because it’s so cold there.
“So many times I’ve said online that the cold affects me and everyone says it’s the same for all the players. It’s not really for me because it gets to my wrist.
“I’ve got one of the best hand people in the country with me, so it’s helping me.
“I’ve got an issue with my right shoulder, that was my own fault.
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“I’ve done the AC joint in my shoulder. 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, 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.”
Smith then revealed that he has got a high-profile Manchester City physio helping him with his recovery.
He added: “I’ve got Man City physio Ben Thompson working with me. My wife Dagmara met Ben at the Manchester Premier League a while back.
“It’s mad that he’ll come to me after doing Haaland’s legs or Foden’s and then be working on my back and shoulders!
“Ben who works with me says it’s more common in rugby, it’s the joint between your collarbone and shoulder.
“It’s called the AC for short (Acromioclavicular). That’s moved and sticks out. I’m told that will never go away now.”
Smith became world champion in 2023 after defeating Michael van Gerwen in the Alexandra Palace final.
He is now hoping to regain form, starting at the Butlin’s UK Open this weekend.
Wright’s physio works with the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden[/caption]
