Tennis and foot bruising

mlikens · Oct 2, 2007

I received my aortic (St. Jude) valve in October 2003 and the coumadin proceeded. Before that time I was working out in the gym with a trainer twice a week. Since that time - same trainer and I - have been playing tennis. I play in the summers as much as I can with a group of women and in the winter in enclosed courts. As the years have gone by - I have become a better tennis player and have been able to play harder and harder and my energy levels are great compared to pre-surgery. Starting last winter, my right foot began to get bruised and would take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks to heal - and of course, I would keep playing as much as I could. AND, as you can figure out - my INR has always been all over the place and the foot bruising would take place when it was 4.1 or higher. Anyway, seems this summer as I became more active my blood became thinner (from the increased activity)- it seems it is one right foot bruise to another starting the middle of June. I was playing at least 5 times a week - got a bruise - had to work a convention, a week vacation - at this point both feet got bruised. Got better middle of July. Then took a week off the end of August and played as much as I could - INR went to 4.4 - got bruise which lasted a good 3 weeks. Got better this week. Played hard last night and BANG, went to run to hit ball, and then on my right toes - thought I would die because the bruise came back. (probably didn't help that i hiked and did letterboxing on the weekend). My blood varies from 2.4 to 5.1 in one week. I have a home testing machine - which I so love. I know I am rambling on but I get so frustrated with the bruising of this right foot. I see my cardiologist on Thursday and want to tell him I am giving up sports and become a couch potato and will put on 20 pounds by the next time I see him in a year - bet my coumadin will be leveled out then!

I'm bad I know it - I'm old enough to earn it!

However, I must say prior to the valve replacement none of this would have been possible!! Life is really good evening though they are starting to call me "cripple" at work - I smile and think I really look good in my little tennis outfit as I limp out the door!

tommy · Oct 2, 2007

Is the bruising coming from the pounding of the feet or getting hit by the ball? Have a podiatrist check out your shoes.

My experience is that with increased activity, my INR goes down due to faster absorption and depletion. Go figure!

I like your perspective at the end of your post. Whenever I even think about complaining, I remember how much better things are after AVR than before. Hang in there.

mlikens · Oct 3, 2007

Thanks, Tommy

Thanks, Tommy

I was thinking the "shoes" last night. I changed tennis shoes to the "wider" ones. Prior to that the bruising was on the bottom in the "pounding" ball area. Now it is on the top area right below the toes. The discomfort is right at the bend between the toes and main foot area along the big toe and second one. I am thinking that maybe there is too much space in the shoe in that area and my foot is either "rolling" in a funny position when I run, stop, and hit the ball.

Fascinating about your INR decreasing. The nurses told me age makes the blood thinner. However, I have my charts and when I play tennis more the increase in reading happens into the 4.0 range. I will figure it out and not give in to the tv remote & the couch.

Marlynn

tommy · Oct 3, 2007

I get a little of the pain you describe between on top my my foot at the base of the toes. No bruising. The pain is intermittent, mild, but sharp. I'm experimenting with the tightness of the laces. I have Plantar Fasciitis, so need to keep the shoes fairly tight for the orthotic inserts to work.

A podiatrist may be able to help. I wish I'd gone sooner.

Susan BAV · Oct 3, 2007

Several years ago, before AVR, I lept over a stool (trying to rescue a baby finch

) and tore something awful in my calf which was agonizingly painful and swelled horribly and turned black from my knee down into my ankle. And when I finally went to see the doctor, he told me it was a common muscle-tear injury for running backs--more info than you need to know, sorry--but he also thought I'd torn some big vein or something. It took me quite awhile to completely heal but I have freqently thought how dangerous that would have been had I been on ACT.

Just telling you all that because it could be more serious than you know and maybe you should get yourself into see a good doctor right away in case you've torn/injured something worse than you realize?

mlikens · Oct 4, 2007

Thanks Susan and Tommy

Thanks Susan and Tommy

Susan - I would have tried to save the finch also! Tommy - I did my home blood test yesterday and it was 1.2. You may be correct about the exercise and the lower blood readings. The docs office was not happy and had me go get lovenox for a shot last night and two today along with my coumadin. I'm sure we will get this stablized (I do have my annual appt tomorrow with my cardiologist) and I am not going to do tennis or any cardio for this month. I did hike this past Sat. for about two hours and did do the tennis where I rebruised my foot on Monday as I said in my first posting.

Susan - you are correct in your advice to see a doctor. I will discuss this with my heart doctor and let him look at my foot tomorrow.

You all are the best - and thanks to this web site I was able to get some info about Lovenox (sp?) before I had to stick a needle in my tummy - never done that before in my whole life!

Wish I could have had a video last night - it was a hoot but having a mother (rest her soul) as an RN (along with watching too many medical shows) I managed without any fear of needles.

Marlynn