What does subluxation mean?
A subluxation is a partial dislocation, meaning that the bones in a joint have shifted out of their normal alignment without becoming completely separated. The joint surfaces remain partly in contact, so the condition may be less dramatic than a full dislocation while still causing pain, instability, restricted movement, or other symptoms. The term is especially common in medical, orthopaedic, chiropractic, and dental contexts, where precise distinctions matter. People may also use it more generally for a minor or incomplete displacement, but its established sense concerns the partial displacement of a bone or joint. Compared with “dislocation,” “subluxation” emphasizes that the joint has not entirely lost its normal relationship, although symptoms can vary widely according to the location and severity. It is a useful term when describing an injury that is neither entirely trivial nor a complete separation.
nounA partial or incomplete dislocation of a bone or joint, in which the joint surfaces remain partly in contact. The term is used especially in medicine and is distinct from a complete dislocation.
- A partial or incomplete dislocation of a bone or joint.
"The X-rays revealed a subluxation of the shoulder joint."
"The injury involved a subluxation of the vertebra rather than a complete dislocation."
"The chiropractor diagnosed a subtle subluxation affecting the patient's shoulder movement."
The plural is used when referring to multiple cases or occurrences of partial joint dislocation.
"The records describe several subluxations following sports injuries."
A subluxation is the body's halfway house: the joint is not quite out of place, but it is not properly seated either.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of subluxation
The word was formed in English from the Latin prefix sub-, meaning “under” or “partly,” and luxation, a term associated with the Latin verb luxare, “to dislocate.” The development reflects the medical distinction between a partial displacement of a joint and a complete dislocation. Its related forms include luxate and luxation, while cognate terminology appears across Latin-derived medical languages.
Related word forms
How subluxation is actually used
This is primarily a medical and clinical term. It is more technical than the everyday expression “partial dislocation” and is often used in orthopaedics, chiropractic, dentistry, and related fields.
Easily confused with subluxation
A dislocation generally refers to a complete loss of alignment between the bones at a joint, whereas a subluxation is only partial.
Luxation commonly means complete dislocation, while subluxation specifically describes partial or incomplete displacement.