Trying my hardest here, but I can't seem to get my mind into dart playing.

I keep asking myself what I want to do.

I really don't feel like travelling to tournaments or even playing leagues.

I love darts, and of recent I like the history of darts quite a bit. I've been bringing back a lot of memories to many people

on Facebook by posting all the old magazine covers and articles I have.

Just seems like my interest would be promoting darts, talking about darts, etc...

I struggle to play aggressively, to win. I just don't care.

Unfortunately I have some bad news I've been putting off sharing with anyone.

Since my return to playing darts on March 6th of this year I've been putting in a ton of practice.

Been to 2 fairly big tournaments around here, 1 being the NY State Championships.

Made it to the singles finals in both events, losing in the NY State Championship finals after 40 days of practice

and my 1st event since 2005.

Apparently I've been practicing so much that I recently tore my achillies tendon. The MRI just came back and I started physical

therapy this week. Doesn't look good. Also I have a case of severe tendinitis in that same tendon.

Doc advised me to stop playing altogether.

So I might continue what I really enjoy.... promoting darts and recently collecting some older memorabilia. Even collecting darts.

Not sure what the future will bring as far as playing. But without the desire to win, I just don't see myself going far.

Really my only personal goal, and I've said it here before, is to hit a 9 darter.

I think I could do it. I've looked down the barrel of a few 10 darters recently.

I swear I would quit altogether If I got the 9.

Might be out of reach now?

Sorry to hear that my friend, An achilles tendon injury is serious and takes time to heal. Take care of yourself and do what you need to do.
I know the feeling about playing aggressively to win. And making it to the finals is no little feat and want to congratulate you on that.

Wow, that is a major injury to cop playing darts.

When you heal, you could just throw for fun with mates and with us on here. You may need to modify your stance to take pressure off of your achillies though.

I wish you all the best for your recovery JD. I'm sure you will choose the path that best suits your desires.

Is surgery Indicated or casting?

That is bad news - sorry to hear it. I would follow doctor's orders and stop playing until it heals up - and as Jimbo says, modify your stance once it's better to ease the pressure.

Hope it gets better for you soon

Thanks guys. Practice has been tough. Had to modify my stance a bit.

Although I can't quit darts cold turkey. I'm addicted!!!

Here's a pic for your viewing pleasure.

The swelling is pretty extreme right now.

Plus I have a bump where the small vertical tear occurred.

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The Dr. mentioned surgery as a possibility.

If that has to happen..... well that would just blow.

^^^^ Looks like a kankle.

I don't have kankle's!!!

It will be difficult but stop playing now or you may end up making it worse

Still managed a decent practice tonight.

Playing best of 5 sets. Set is best of 3.

Computer won tonight, although I had 3 darts to seal the deal in leg 2 of the last set against the darts.

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mc1958 wrote:

It will be difficult but stop playing now or you may end up making it worse

Yeah, true. There might be a point very soon where I just have to physically pull the plug on playing.

That would be a sad day for me.

Damn!

Thats unlucky JD! I feel for you, I know I am frustrated often by not been able to practice as much as I like due to my occurring wrist and shoulder aches. I think that is why I have grown my interest in other areas of darts like you, helping to run and promote this forum has certainly kept my interest high in those areas.

I dont think you should think about competing anyway until your tendon is better. You really need to give it time to heal though and follow the docs advice, no sense in ending up with something that will affect you in other ways. You can still be addicted to darts and involved without been able to play.

Its really unfortunate though because your a very good player!

Good luck and I hope it heals for you.

Quote :

Yeah, true. There might be a point very soon where I just have to physically pull the plug on playing.

Well maybe it is more a case of giving your body time to recover and not so much as pulling the plug?

It would suck, but as you said there is still a lot of darts stuff to occupy yourself with, and certainly newer players like myself will be hungry for advice!

Hope you heal quick and get back to playing!!

I'm sorry to hear this J.D it must be tough being told you've got to give up something you enjoy so much.

I do agree with what david suggested regarding taking some time off to allow your body recovery time. I tore every ligament in my ankle playing football (soccer to you crazy yanks) in my teens. My doctor advised I stopped playing altogether, but when you're 17, captaining your college team and looking at trials with the local club, its something you don't really want to think about. I stopped playing for around a year and gave my body time to heal. I play again from time to time now and my ankles not 100% but i'd rather a small amount of pain every so often than give up something I enjoy that much altogether.

I hope it works out for you bud, I know you're a handy player and It'd be a shame for the game to lose such a talent.

I suppose to be the old one Fox! Anyway JD I would follow your Doctors advice and rest it buddy.

Wow! this sucks big time JD!! I was really hoping you and a couple of buddies would be able to make it to my tourney it would have been nice to meet someone from here and have a chance to play a good match with you. By the looks of your posts we are probably around the same ability level. Good luck with your recovery and all the best with everything else JD!!

Hat

You never know mate, if you take a break to let yourself heal up the desire might come back??? Good luck with everything anyway buddy...

hopefully you can get back at her bud. my darting interest has been all over the map as of recently, been quite busy with house construction and trying to find a job. one week i'm dying to play all evening, the next i can't even be bothered to pick a set up or flick the dartboard light on. hopefully now that league is on its way i can get back into it. take your time mate and heal up!

I suffer from back problems and after a few operations I am just glad to be able to throw darts at the board now regardless what they hit. Do what the doc tells you. By playing now you are causing nerve damage. Good luck and mend well.

Thought it was a picture of your elbow!! Thought your injury was something with your arm..


Im a little slow:)

The folks here has said it already. Take a break and heal up. Come back with a modifyed stance and make that 9 darter once and for all!

Isnt there some special shoes that could help you with this? I dont really know what has happened? As I said... Im slow. They even call me Donkeypipe.. Hmm.

I am with you bruv on this and feel your sadness as I too am in the same predicament with 2 prolapsed discs & sciatica. I have had to stop playing for a few month and it is hell. I has a long lay off for 15 years and only started playing again 2 years ago this Christmas. I got back on it really quickly, gained a regular Superleague spot and was called up for Northants County team. a few months later a trip whilst carrying my laptop to our 6th form block (as I am a teacher) and boom my darting world collapsed. I hope you can work through it and take a break like I am having to do, just throwing an odd 10 minutes here and there to keep my arm in, as it will help you decide in the long run.You will either want it more when you come back or you will decide to retire from the beautiful game and concentrate on other areas. I know I have seen things in a different light over recent weeks that I didn't see when I was involved in them.

I wish you a speedy recovery and will support you emotionally the best I can on here whilst you recover and then again when you make that difficult decision. All the best my friend and please remember to Stay Special cos it suits you.

Hows things going for you guys? I have a bit of sore shoulder but nothing major.

Any chance of a side on video of your throw? (or stroke as you call it in the States?)

I've been recommended to an orthopedic surgeon. Not good.

Dr. was not happy that I told him I'm still playing darts.

I'm addicted, what can I tell ya.

You mentioned a lot of interest in promoting darts. Even if you are unable to play for a while that may be something to persue. If there's anything the sport could use here in the U.S. is someone getting in front of potential sponsors and media outlets to get the sport up and going. I don't know what kind of time you have available (or if you have sales experience) but there may be some options out there for you. Even if not as a player, we can always use people pushing the sport forward in the trenches.

Yeah I would go with what Shane says too, but I hope they can sort your tendon out, but your not going to help it if you dont rest it!

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JD, have a look at this site. Has a lot of braces and supports. May be of some help.

http://www.braceup.com/ankle_01.htm

SilverSaber wrote:

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Wrong leg.