Which term refers to a partial dislocation with spontaneous return to alignment?

• A. Subluxation
• B. Dislocation
• C. Fracture
• D. Strain

Answer: (A)

This item tests recognizing a joint injury where the bone surfaces partially separate but can realign on their own. A subluxation is a partial dislocation with spontaneous reduction, meaning the joint shifts out of place only partly and then goes back toward normal alignment without someone needing to reset it. This spontaneous return is the key feature that differentiates it from a full dislocation, where the joint remains out of place and typically requires medical reduction to restore alignment. The other terms describe different injuries: a fracture is a bone break, and a strain is a stretch or tear of muscle or tendon—neither involves a joint that partially dislocates and realigns on its own.