ERIK CLARYS has revealed that the serious arm injury he suffered before the Budweiser UK Open could threaten his career in darts.
The Belgian fell from a ladder whilst at work in the week before the UK Open last month.
He broke his elbow in five places as well as dislocating the joint.
After discovering Clarys' darting prowess, surgeons opted against the regular operation, which would have wired the joint together but would also have left him with limited movement and all but ended his career.
He had a titanium sheet and screws inserted to the joint and after three operations his elbow was stable enough for doctors to leave Clarys to recover.
"I am now waiting for the swelling to go down," said Clarys, in his column in the Darts4You magazine.
"When it is back to normal size we can start to think about rehabilitation.
"This might take a very long time, and it will be hard because it is rehabilitation of a joint.
"I will do anything to come back, but [I will play again] only if I am physically and mentally strong enough to do the job.
"If not then for darts it will be the end of my career, but with all my heart I hope I am wrong. It is a scary time."