A CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF SNAYU W.S.R. TO ANKLE SPRAIN (GULPHA)

Abstract

In Ayurveda, the role of Acharya Sushruta is very important. Acharya Sushruta was not only one of the earliest pioneers of surgery in the world but also one among the earliest to study the human body. Acharya Sushruta was the first in the field of Ayurveda who has defined the clinical importance of structural components of the body like Asthi (Bones), Jala (plexus), Kurcha (brush like structure), Sira (vein), Dhamni (artery), Snayu, etc. Snayu is one of the important anatomical structures in the human body which is strong and holds all the joints for the purposeful function. Similar to Snayu, in modern anatomy, ligaments and tendons are described as human structures which are attached bone to bone and muscle to bone respectively. All the joints are bound together by Snayu. According to shape and location the Snayu are of four types: Pratanvati, Vritta, Sushira & Prithula. Snayu are very much similar to ligaments, so excessive stretching, tearing or injury to ligaments causes severe pain. Ligament injuries are the most common amongst the athletes or sports person. Common ligamental injuries are to the knee, ankle, wrist, thumb, neck or back ligament with ankle injury being the most common occurring injury. Keywords: Snayu, Ligaments, Injuries.