What is defined as the displacement of a bone from its joint?

The term used to describe the displacement of a bone from its joint is dislocation. In this condition, the surfaces of the bones forming the joint are no longer in contact, leading to an altered position that can cause pain, swelling, and a decrease in the function of the affected area. Dislocations commonly occur in joints such as the shoulder, fingers, and knees.

In contrast, a fracture refers to a break in the bone itself rather than a displacement in the joint. A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which are the tissues connecting bones at a joint, while an avulsion is a specific type of injury where a piece of bone is pulled away at the attachment site of a ligament or tendon. Each of these conditions involves different injuries and mechanisms, clearly distinguishing dislocation as the condition characterized by bone displacement at a joint.