PDC Injury Report: De Zwaan Faces Surgery as Van Veen and Tweddell Mount Inspiring Comebacks

While professional darts may lack the high-impact collisions of contact sports, the relentless travel and repetitive strain of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit can devastate a player's body. As the 2026 season pushes into its grueling summer stretch, several high-profile players are navigating severe health setbacks. Yet, rather than signaling the end of their careers, these injury battles are producing some of the most inspiring comeback stories on the oche, highlighting the extraordinary mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level.[1]

Dutch star Jeffrey de Zwaan is the latest casualty of the grueling schedule, having been forced to withdraw from Group 20 of the PDC Home Tour. The former World Matchplay semi-finalist has been battling an ongoing shoulder problem that has steadily worsened over the past few months. To address the persistent pain, de Zwaan has opted for minor surgery, prioritizing his long-term career over immediate tournament appearances.[1]

The injury specifically affects de Zwaan's throwing arm, making the precision required for elite darts nearly impossible to maintain. "I especially suffer from it during long practice sessions," de Zwaan explained. "It is my throwing arm and that is of course quite a nuisance as a darts player." His fellow Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena has stepped in to replace him in the Home Tour lineup while de Zwaan begins his rehabilitation.[1]

Meanwhile, 23-year-old rising star Gian van Veen has faced a completely different, yet equally debilitating, health scare. The young Dutchman was forced to withdraw from Night Seven of the Premier League in Dublin after being diagnosed with kidney stones. What initially seemed like a painful but manageable condition quickly escalated when an infection set in, leaving surgery as the only viable option and forcing a brief hospitalization.

The recovery process has been physically draining for van Veen, who had been enjoying a stellar debut campaign in the Premier League. He admitted that the ordeal sapped his energy, leaving him feeling weak and easily fatigued. Attempting to return to the practice board, van Veen managed just 15 minutes of throwing before feeling "completely spent and wiped out," casting doubt on his immediate return to peak form.[2]

"I tried for two days to pass the kidney stones so I wouldn't need surgery, but that wasn't possible due to an infection," van Veen shared. Despite his eagerness to return, he remains cautious about rushing his recovery, noting that while the Premier League is a massive opportunity, his long-term health must come first. "I've just lost some strength and energy," he admitted, acknowledging that his scoring power has temporarily dipped.[2]

Across the Atlantic, North American standout Jules van Dongen is taking extreme measures to save his career amid a devastating diagnosis. "The Dutch Dragon" had been dealing with severe grip issues that hampered his form, eventually discovering he suffers from task-specific dystonia—a neurological disorder that causes uncontrolled muscle cramps during specific actions. In van Dongen's case, the pinching motion needed to hold a dart triggers the condition.

With no known cure for the disorder, van Dongen has made a remarkable and radical decision to preserve his professional status: he is teaching himself to play left-handed. The switch requires him to completely rebuild his muscle memory, stance, and rhythm from scratch. While the transition is arduous, his determination to remain on the tour has garnered widespread support from fans and fellow players alike.

However, perhaps the most remarkable story of resilience belongs to Swindon-based Jack Tweddell. Five years ago, Tweddell began suffering from Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), commonly known as mini-strokes. The neurological episodes caused him to pass out unexpectedly, forcing him to step away from the sport entirely and undergo extensive rehabilitation while relying on crutches to walk.

Tweddell's journey back to the oche began in 2023, sparked by a simple act of support. Frustrated with his physical therapy, his partner Ellen secretly purchased a dartboard and set it up in their kitchen, telling him, "Even on crutches you can still do this." That therapeutic outlet gradually evolved into a full-fledged professional comeback.

Today, Tweddell is making waves outside the PDC, having secured a victory at the ADC Global Championship and delivering standout performances on the MODUS Super Series. Despite still being under the care of a neurologist and unable to drive due to his medical history, Tweddell's relentless drive has made him one of the most talked-about names in the sport, proving that physical setbacks can be overcome with extraordinary determination.