How to tell the difference between subluxation and shoulder dislocation?

Dislocation: There is no such diagnosis as a subluxed joint. Joints are in proper position or they are dislocated. The shoulder is no exception and can dislocate with certain types of injury and strain. This can be restored into proper position by your orthopedic specialist.

Shoulder instability: Subluxation and dislocation are both terms used to describe varying degrees of instability of the shoulder. Dislocation means the ball completely comes out of the joint, and frequently has to be relocated (by self or someone else). A subluxation is when the ball start to come out, but reduces or relocates before coming all the way out.

The difference:: A shoulder dislocation will result in an obvious deformity from your arm bone popping out of the shoulder socket. Usually these have to be reduced by medical professionals. A subluxation happens when your shoulder almost pops out of socket, but comes back in on its own.