CHRIS MASON is to undergo surgery on a nerve problem in his elbow during August.
The Wolverhampton-based star revealed ahead of his Stan James World Matchplay first round defeat to John Part that he has been seeing a specialist recently.
Although he has had pain in the elbow for around a decade, it has gradually deteriorated over the past two years, leaving Mason with problems feeling in his throwing arm.
Despite needing anti-inflammatory tablets and injections, the problem has continued and Mason's visits to a specialist led to further tests.
He will have an MRI scan on the elbow at the end of July and is scheduled to have an operation during August, which will require at least a three-week recovery period without throwing a dart.
However, Mason should be fit to play again at the start of September if the operation proves successful.
"I rested the elbow ahead of the World Matchplay but playing in the Bobby Bourn Memorial aggravated it again," revealed Mason.
"I was icing the elbow before I played John and felt good in practice, but as soon as I got on stage I could feel the pain when I threw.
"It was disappointing but hopefully I can get it resolved now. It's like carpal tunnel syndrome but in the elbow, and it's basically nerve damage.
"Previously if there had been operations there would have been a long lay-off, but with keyhole surgery I should be fine within a month."