Survivorship of Metaphyseal Sleeves in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Metaphyseal fixation has promising early results in providing component stability and fixation in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there are limited studies on midterm results of metaphyseal sleeves. We analyzed complications, rerevisions, and survivorship free of revision for aseptic loosening of metaphyseal sleeves in revision TKA.

Two hundred eighty patients with 393 metaphyseal sleeves (144 femoral, 249 tibial) implanted during revision TKA from 2006-2014 were reviewed. Sleeves were most commonly cemented (55% femoral, 72% tibial). Mean follow-up was 3 years, mean age was 66 years, and mean body mass index was 34 kg/m². Indications for revision TKA included 2-stage reimplantation for deep infection (37%), aseptic loosening of the tibia (14%), femur (12%), or both components (9%), and instability (14%).

There was a 12% rate of perioperative complications, most commonly intraoperative fracture (6.5%). Eight sleeves (2.5%) required removal: 6 (2%) during component resection for deep infection (all were well-fixed at removal) as well as 1 (0.8%) femoral sleeve and 1 (0.8%) tibial sleeve for aseptic loosening. Five-year survivorship free of revision for aseptic loosening was 96% and 99.5% for femoral and tibial sleeves, respectively. Level of constraint, bone loss, sleeve and/or stem fixation, and revision indication did not significantly affect outcomes.

Metaphyseal sleeve fixation to enhance component stability during revision TKA has a 5-year survivorship free of revision for aseptic loosening of 96% and 99.5% in femoral and tibial sleeves, respectively. Both cemented and cementless sleeve fixation provides reliable durability at intermediate follow-up.