Joint injuries can cause significant pain and limit mobility, often leading to confusion between terms like subluxation and dislocation. While both involve a joint moving out of its normal position, they represent different degrees of injury. This article clarifies the distinctions between these two types of joint displacement.
What is a Dislocation?
A dislocation, also known as luxation, occurs when the bones forming a joint are completely separated from their usual alignment, resulting in a total loss of contact between the joint surfaces. Any joint in the body can dislocate, though the shoulder, knee, and hip are commonly affected.
Dislocations arise from sudden, strong forces applied to the joint, such as those experienced during car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Symptoms include intense pain, noticeable swelling, bruising, and a visible deformity. Movement of the affected joint is usually impossible or severely limited. Medical intervention is necessary to reposition the bones.
What is a Subluxation?
A subluxation describes a partial dislocation of a joint where the bones are misaligned but still maintain some contact.
Subluxations can result from traumatic events, though often from less severe impacts than dislocations. Repetitive strain or medical conditions affecting joint stability, such as hypermobility syndromes, can also contribute. Symptoms include pain, swelling, limited range of motion, and a sensation of instability. These symptoms are less severe than those associated with a dislocation, and sometimes, a subluxation may even go unnoticed.
How Dislocation and Subluxation Differ
The primary difference between a dislocation and a subluxation lies in the severity of displacement: dislocations involve complete separation, while subluxations are partial displacements with some contact maintained.
This difference leads to distinct clinical presentations. Dislocations present with an obvious visible deformity and severe pain. Subluxations, while painful, exhibit a more subtle appearance, sometimes without a pronounced deformity, and the pain may be less intense or temporary. Functionally, a dislocated joint renders the affected limb immobile, whereas a subluxated joint allows limited or unstable movement.
Treatment approaches also vary significantly. A dislocated joint requires immediate medical reduction, involving manual repositioning by a healthcare professional. This procedure may involve sedation due to the pain. Subluxations, depending on severity, may resolve on their own or require less aggressive intervention, such as rest, ice, and physical therapy. A dislocated joint experiences greater instability and a higher risk of recurrent dislocation compared to a subluxated one.
When to Seek Help
Prompt medical evaluation is recommended for any joint injury, whether a subluxation or a dislocation. Any joint injury causing significant pain, visible deformity, inability to move the joint, or persistent instability warrants immediate professional attention. Seeking timely care helps ensure proper diagnosis and prevents potential long-term complications.
Avoid attempting to “pop” a joint back into place yourself, as this can cause further damage to tissues, nerves, or blood vessels. A healthcare provider can accurately diagnose the injury, using imaging like X-rays, and perform reduction or recommend treatment for healing and function.