Metaphyseal Sleeves in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Provide Reliable Fixation and Excellent Medium to Long-Term Implant Survivorship

Background: Addressing bone loss and securing implant fixation can be challenging in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We present the results of a large series of revision TKAs using a metaphyseal sleeve.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 319 revision TKAs with the use of a metaphyseal sleeve that had been followed up for at least 2 years, using a prospectively collected database. The mean follow-up was 91 months, and 73 patients were followed up for more than 10 years.

Results: Implant survivorship was 99.1% at 3 years, 98.7% at 5 years, and 97.8% at 10 years. No metaphyseal sleeve was revised for aseptic loosening. Final radiographic review showed that there were radiolucent lines present in 2.8% of tibial sleeves and 2.7% of femoral sleeves; none of these had progressed and none were revised. About 3.7% of tibial sleeves subsided more than 1 mm compared with the immediate postoperative X-ray but all stabilized and none were revised.

Conclusion: Use of a metaphyseal sleeve in revision TKA is associated with excellent survivorship and radiographic outcome in the medium to long term.