Subluxation
Definition: partial dislocation of a joint
A “luxation” is a complete dislocation, when a bone is completely removed from its joint. A subluxation is when something is partially removed. These bones and joints often “pop back into place” by themselves.
Chiropractic care is centered on subluxations of the spine, where the vertebra are “out of position.”
Why I Looked It Up
I had known the term as used by chiropractors for years, but I didn’t know it had wider usage. Then I read an article about the Washington Football Team.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, 38, suffered a hip subluxation – that means the ball of his femur at least partially dislocated from the hip socket.