PDC Injury Report: Van Gerwen Undergoes Surgery as Price and Smith Battle Lingering Health Issues

The 2026 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) season has become a battle of attrition, with the relentless schedule of the Premier League, European Tour, and ProTour leaving several of the sport's biggest names battling severe physical ailments.[1][4]

The most significant recent development involves three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, who opted for arm surgery in mid-June. The Dutchman underwent a procedure on June 14 to address ongoing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition that has plagued him for years.[1]

The surgery forced Van Gerwen to withdraw from the prestigious World Cup of Darts, missing the opportunity to represent the Netherlands alongside teammates Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode. He is currently targeting a return to action at the Dutch Darts Masters in Amsterdam on June 24.[1]

This is not Van Gerwen's first bout with severe wrist issues. He previously underwent carpal tunnel surgery in 2022, which forced a drastic change to his throwing action. Former professional Matt Edgar recently warned that nerve damage makes a full return to his absolute peak 'virtually impossible,' noting that players are rarely the same after such invasive procedures.[6]

Beyond chronic wrist issues, Van Gerwen has also battled acute injuries throughout the grueling campaign. He previously withdrew from a Premier League night in Berlin due to a sudden shoulder issue, and suffered a freak neck injury sustained simply while 'trying on a shirt' for a sponsor.[5][7]

Meanwhile, Welsh star Gerwyn Price has also been forced off the oche. Price withdrew from the 2026 World Cup of Darts, citing that he was 'not in a great place at the moment' regarding his overall health and needed time away to recover.[2]

Price's withdrawal from the World Cup followed a cascading series of medical setbacks. He recently pulled out of a UK Open Pool Championship match at the last minute to protect his health ahead of major darts commitments, and has also dealt with a severe hand injury that caused significant swelling.[3]

The injury bug has also bitten 2023 World Champion Michael Smith. 'Bully Boy' recently revealed the severity of a chronic ankle condition, describing it as 'excessive extra bone growing around my ankle' that causes immense pain during long days on his feet.[4]

The inflammation became so severe that Smith was rendered unable to walk for days at a time. He was forced to withdraw from the International Darts Open in Riesa to finally undergo long-postponed cortisone injections to manage the swelling.[4]

The physical toll extends beyond the former world champions. Veteran Gary Anderson opted out of the 2026 Premier League entirely, citing the intense travel demands and a history of back injuries that flare up during the 16-week competition.[8]

The sheer volume of medical withdrawals has sparked a debate among analysts and fans about the sustainability of the modern PDC calendar. With players crisscrossing Europe weekly for the Premier League and weekend European Tour events, the repetitive strain on throwing arms, backs, and ankles is unprecedented.[6][8]

As the tour heads toward the crucial summer stretch, including the World Matchplay in July, the focus for many top players has shifted from form to fitness. The ability to survive the grueling schedule and manage chronic pain may ultimately determine who lifts the sport's biggest trophies in 2026.[1][4]