What does the TUBS classification describe?

• A. Traumatic Unilateral Dislocations with Bankart lesion requiring Surgery
• B. Tumor-induced Bony Severe dislocation
• C. Two-Upper-body Subluxation
• D. Traumatic Upper Brachial Sprain

Answer: (A)

TUBS describes a shoulder instability pattern driven by a traumatic event that causes a unilateral dislocation with an accompanying Bankart lesion, and it generally leads to surgical stabilization. After an anterior dislocation, the anteroinferior labrum detaches from the glenoid rim—a Bankart lesion—which destabilizes the joint. Because this is a discrete, trauma-driven injury on one shoulder, the typical approach is surgical repair to restore the labral attachment and reinforce the anterior capsule. This contrasts with patterns like AMBRI, which are atraumatic and multidirectional and are usually managed nonoperatively first. So the description that matches TUBS is a traumatic, unilateral dislocation with a Bankart lesion that commonly requires surgery.