MARK DUDBRIDGE has undergone a 'make-or-break' double operation on his throwing arm as he bids to overcome the shoulder and elbow problems which have blighted him in recent years.
The former World Championship and World Matchplay finalist and World Masters winner has dropped out of the world's top 32 - and now down to 46th in the PDC Order of Merit - after battling against a shoulder problem in recent years.
He had undergone extensive physiotherapy on his shoulder before also being diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome, a problem which was caused by muscles in his arm pressing on nerves in his elbow.
The 39-year-old underwent surgery on Wednesday at Bristol's Southmead Hospital, with his elbow operation accompanied by a minor operation to remove scar tissue from his shoulder.
"I'm back at home now and although my arm is sore, I'm not in a sling and I'm feeling quite positive," said Dudbridge. "I already feel like my grip is better than it was before the operation.
"It's been a really difficult time for me in the past couple of years, and you can't go from being number three in the world to number 46 without there being something seriously wrong.
"Throughout the last few months I've learned a great deal about how your body works and the stresses and strains which you can put on your shoulder and arm from other areas of body which you don't even realise.
"I'd been having physio on my shoulder because we always thought that was where my problem stemmed from, but it looks as though that was causing muscles to push down on a nerve in my elbow.
"It got to a stage where my shoulder was always tense, and I wasn't able to throw like I used to. I'd struggle to practice for long periods in and in tournaments I'd play well for a few legs but then lose it.
"It's been heartbreaking for me. I'm still really driven and I remember the confidence that I used to have in my game.
"In myself I know what I'm capable of if I can get my arm right again, and I'll be doing everything I can now in rehab to get myself back to 100 percent.
"I'll be working hard under a physio at the Southmead Hospital and it's a really important time because this is make-or-break for me."
Dudbridge is now likely to miss the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship for the first time since joining the PDC circuit in 2003 - although he has not yet given up hope of playing in the PDPA Qualifier on Monday November 26.
"Obviously I'll have to see over the next week or so how it recovers and it's an outside chance at best that I'd be fit to play in the PDPA Qualifier," admits Dudbridge.
"I won't be rushing myself but I'm not ruling myself out just yet. If I was fit to play and qualified for Ally Pally, it would be a fairytale story.
"Being fit for the start of the ProTour next February, though, is the real goal. I'm pretty confident that I'll hang on to my Tour Card and I want get back playing well again and get back to the top, where I think I should be."