When Google Becomes Your Worst Enemy: My Body is Literally Falling Apart

By Lewis Barnett 20 August, 2025 6 mins read 214 Views

So here's something that'll make you wince.

Michael Smith - you know, the guy who was on top of the darts world just two years ago - is basically held together with medical tape and sheer stubbornness at this point. The St Helens legend told me his body is "literally packing up," and honestly? After hearing what the doctors found, I'm amazed he's still throwing at all.

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The MRI Results That Made a World Champion Panic

Two weeks ago, Smith got news that would make anyone's stomach drop. Severe osteoarthritis in his throwing shoulder. The same shoulder that carried him to world championship glory back in 2023 when he finally - FINALLY - beat Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in that incredible final.

"I can't even say it properly," Smith admitted during his interview with Online Darts, stumbling over the medical terminology like the rest of us would.

But here's where it gets really rough. When curiosity got the better of him and he decided to Google his condition... well, let's just say Dr. Internet isn't known for bedside manner. "I got scared when I Googled it," he confessed, and honestly, who hasn't been there? You search for a headache remedy and suddenly you're convinced you have three rare diseases.

Welcome to Your Mid-40s Nightmare

The reality is brutal. Smith's looking at potential shoulder replacement surgery by the time he hits 45 or 46. That's not some distant future - that's maybe a decade away for the 34-year-old.

"A new shoulder would be like learning to play again," he said, and the weight of that statement just sits there. Imagine mastering something for decades, becoming literally the best in teh world at it, then having to start over because your body betrayed you.

For now, he's managing with injections - cortisone for his wrist, PRP therapy, whatever it takes to keep him functional. But the long-term picture? "They mentioned... shoulder replacement where they cut your rotator cuff. That's where I panicked."

It Gets Worse

As if the shoulder wasn't enough, Smith can barely walk properly on his left foot. He's cycling through antibiotics, painkillers, and they're talking about adding steroids to the mix. This is a guy who should be in his athletic prime, and instead he sounds like he's cataloging injuries from a car crash.

The timing couldn't be more cruel either. Since that championship high in 2023, Smith has watched his world ranking plummet to 21st. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have basically taken over the sport while Smith's been fighting his own body just to stay competitive.

Missing Everything That Matters

Here's what really stings - Smith missed qualification for the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013. Let that sink in. Over a decade of consistency, gone because his body won't cooperate anymore.

His last appearance at the oche? A first-round loss to Krzysztof Ratajski in the Players Championship 21. Not exactly the kind of exit you dream about when you're a former world champion.

And the financial hit is real too. That second-round defeat to Kevin Doets in December 2024 cost him £485,000 in rankings money. That's not just pride - that's mortgage payments and his kids' future.

The Comeback Nobody Saw Coming?

But here's the thing about champions - they don't know when to quit.

Smith's basically written off the rest of this year (smart move, honestly), but he's got his sights set on December's PDC World Darts Championship. £1 million for the winner, and more importantly, a chance to prove he's not done yet.

"This is not going to stop me. I'll be back. I don't know anything else but to play darts and to fight," he said, channeling every sports movie comeback speech ever made.

He even threw in a Manchester United reference - "Like them, I'm a sleeping giant. I will wake up one day." Poor guy supporting United probably prepared him for this kind of suffering anyway.

September Surgery adn December Dreams

On September 20th, Smith's adding eye laser surgery to his medical to-do list, which means missing even more European Tour events. At this point, his calendar probably has more doctor appointments than tournament dates.

But listen to his math: "If I win five games in the Worlds, I'm back in the top ten, it's like 200 grand. Everyone will forget my year then."

That's either delusional optimism or the mindset that made him world champion in the first place. Maybe both.

He's brutally honest about his mistakes too - admitting he managed his schedule poorly after becoming champion, focusing too much on TV events instead of grinding through the full tour. "It bit me in the a*** for the next two years."

The man's fighting father time, his own body, online trolls, and the reality that two guys named Luke have basically taken over his sport. But he's still talking about getting back to the top three or four in the world rankings.

Either Michael Smith is about to author one of the greatest comeback stories in darts history, or we're watching a champion's body give out in real time.

Guess we'll find out in December.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

Statistics

The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.

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Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.