Subluxation meaning
A subluxation is a partial or incomplete dislocation of a joint - the articulating surfaces are still in contact, but they are no longer in their normal anatomical alignment.
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Here is a clear breakdown of subluxation:
Subluxation
Definition: A subluxation is a partial or incomplete dislocation of a joint. The joint surfaces are still in contact with each other, but they are no longer in their normal anatomical relationship. This distinguishes it from a full dislocation, where the surfaces lose all contact.
The World Health Organization defines it as a "significant structural displacement" - less severe than a complete dislocation but more than a simple sprain.
Key Distinction
| Term | Joint Surfaces | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Sprain | Normal contact, ligament injury | Mild |
| Subluxation | Partial contact, partial displacement | Moderate |
| Dislocation | No contact, complete displacement | Severe |
Common Examples
- Atlantoaxial subluxation - partial displacement between C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae; a known complication of rheumatoid arthritis and a common cause of childhood torticollis (Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 15th Ed)
- Shoulder subluxation - common after strokes, trauma, or ligament laxity
- Patellar subluxation - kneecap shifts partially out of its groove
- MCP joint subluxation - metacarpophalangeal joint volar/ulnar shift, a classic finding in rheumatoid arthritis
- Peroneal tendon subluxation - the tendons slip partially out of their groove behind the lateral malleolus
Causes
- Trauma or injury
- Ligament laxity or weakness
- Inflammatory joint disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
- Congenital abnormalities
- Muscle weakness (e.g., post-stroke shoulder subluxation)
Chiropractic Use
In chiropractic medicine, "subluxation" (sometimes called "vertebral subluxation complex") refers more broadly to a spinal joint that has lost its normal range of motion and is causing neurological or biomechanical interference - this is a somewhat different and more expansive use of the term compared to standard medical/orthopedic usage.
In short: subluxation = bones partially out of place at a joint, still touching but misaligned.
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