What does luxation mean?
Luxation is the technical noun for the displacement of a bone or tooth from its normal position, especially when a joint is forced out of alignment. In orthopaedic medicine, it commonly describes a shoulder, hip, or other joint that has been dislocated through trauma. Dentistry uses the same term for a tooth knocked or displaced from its socket, sometimes with damage to the tissues and supporting bone. The word is formal and largely confined to clinical reports, dental literature, and descriptions of injuries; “dislocation” is much more common in general speech. Luxation is useful because it identifies a specific structural displacement rather than a vague injury and appears in diagnoses such as traumatic shoulder luxation and anterior hip luxation. Unlike a simple bruise or strain, a luxation can imply serious disruption of the joint or tooth, making the precise term important in medical contexts.
nounThe displacement of a bone or tooth from its normal position, especially the dislocation of a joint.
- The displacement of a joint so that the bones forming it lose their normal alignment, especially after trauma.
- The displacement of a tooth from its socket or normal position, usually following an impact.
"The MRI confirmed a traumatic luxation of the shoulder."
"The surgeon reduced the shoulder luxation and examined the surrounding nerves and blood vessels."
"The dentist explained that the luxation had displaced the tooth slightly and weakened its supporting tissues."
The plural is used when referring to separate instances of displacement, particularly in clinical or injury reports.
"The radiographs showed bilateral shoulder luxations."
When a joint goes out of place, medicine calls it a luxation; when a tooth does, dentistry reaches for the same word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of luxation
The English word was borrowed from French luxation in the early 17th century. French, in turn, used Latin lūxātiō, formed from lūxāre, “to dislocate” or “put out of joint.” The related English verb luxate and its forms luxated and luxating belong to the same Latin family.
How luxation is actually used
Formal and chiefly used in medical, dental, and injury-report language. In general speech, “dislocation” is much more common.
Easily confused with luxation
In joint injuries, a luxation usually denotes complete loss of normal alignment, whereas a subluxation is a partial displacement in which some contact or alignment remains.