A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of sandhana kara lepa in ankle sprain

Even though ankle sprains seem to be simple injuries, they are most painful and hinder the routine activities of the sufferer. It is characterized by pain, and swelling with or without deformity. Ankle sprains are present on either the medial or lateral side, but the most common is a lateral sprain. Twists in the ankle are frequent in sports leading to ankle pain. In allied science, the treatment principle is PRICER i.e., Pain killers, Rest, Ice Application, Compression and Elevation of foot & Rehabilitation. No direct explanation of sprain with its management in the classics. Acharya Sushruta while explaining Bhagna Chikitsa in the context of Asthi-Bhagna mentioned the word “Patanabhighatadwa”.  Acharya Susrutha has mentioned Lepa as the 1st treatment for all types of swelling.  The treatment modality that is less expensive, easy to administer with lesser complications & better rate of success should be the criteria in choosing the management of Ankle Sprain. In folklore practice, the traditional Vaidyas have many simple & effective remedies against many disorders & one such medicine is Sandhanakara lepa used in the treatment of Ankle Sprain. There is no direct reference for this lepa in our classics directly but the drugs used in this have been mentioned individually. Hence, a study will be carried out to study the efficacy of the Sandhanakara lepa in comparison with clinically established Marma Gutika lepa in Ankle Sprain.