A partial dislocation of a joint.

"Partial" means the bones have shifted out of their normal alignment, but not completely separated the way they would in a full dislocation. "Joint" can mean a shoulder, kneecap, jaw, finger, or even small joints in the spine. A subluxation may stretch or pinch nearby ligaments, muscles, nerves, or joint capsules, which is why it can cause pain, swelling, weakness, numbness, popping, or a feeling that the joint is unstable. Some subluxations show up clearly on imaging like X-rays or MRI scans; others are diagnosed from the exam, symptoms, and how the joint moves.

In an injury case, the label matters because it helps explain why someone still has pain or limited motion after a crash, fall, or work injury even when a bone was not fully dislocated. It can support the need for medical treatment, physical or occupational therapy, bracing, injections, or sometimes surgery. When the subluxation involves the spine, the records should be especially clear about what was found and how it affects function.

For an Arizona personal injury claim, good documentation ties the subluxation to the event and shows its real impact on daily life and work. That can matter after roadway collisions caused by sun glare on I-10 or truck traffic on US-95. Clear records also help prove causation and damages, especially if an insurer argues the problem was minor or preexisting.