What is a dislocation?

A dislocation is defined as the displacement of a bone at a joint, where the bone moves out of its normal position. This occurs when the bones that form a joint become separated due to trauma or extreme force. The joint can be visibly deformed, and the accompanying pain and loss of functionality are often significant.

Understanding this definition helps clarify the nature of dislocations in contrast to other injuries. For example, a fracture involves a break in the bone structure itself and is focused on the integrity of the bone, rather than its relationship to surrounding structures. Compression of a muscle refers to muscle injuries rather than issues at the joint level. Stretching of ligaments, while related to joint stability, pertains to either sprains or strains rather than the misalignment of bones that characterizes a dislocation. Thus, the accurate depiction of a dislocation aligns solely with the concept of bone displacement at a joint.