Hi Catherine @babypanda, Welcome to Connect. I see that you've already connected with @cmarsh. I thought I would add a pointer to another discussion where members have shared experiences with antibiotic spacers.

-- What kind of mobility can I expect with an antibiotic spacer in my hip:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-kind-of-mobility-can-i-expect-with-an-antibiotic-spacer-in-my-hip/

Here's an article that may provide answers to your question on how a staph infection could occur so many years after your surgery.
"A total joint may become infected during the time of surgery, or anywhere from weeks to years after the surgery.
The most common ways bacteria enter the body include:
- Through breaks or cuts in the skin
- During major dental procedures (such as a tooth extraction or root canal)
- Through wounds from other surgical procedures..."
-- Joint Replacement Infection: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/joint-replacement-infection.

Did your doctor or surgeon have any thoughts on how the infection may have occurred?

Hi Catherine....I'm so sorry you have an infection, but glad they discovered it in time where they can put antibiotic spacer in and eventually get another new hip. That's exactly what my surgeon was planning to do to me until he opened me up and saw all the dead muscle and bone in there. He said he had never seen anything like it and was surprised I was walking and hiking my 5 miles a day up until 6 days prior to that! He said he could clean out and take out as much of the infection and dead tissue, bone as he could OR amputate my leg. Of course, I was under anesthesia, and he chose to give me a chance with my leg. I no longer have the hip joint and part of pelvis and glute is also gone, but I survived. I was on IV antibiotics for 8 weeks and now on oral antibiotics for at least 5 years through my Infectious Disease Doctor. My lab work is almost normal after 10 months. My infection was "strep" so they feel it was probably Dental related even though I always took the premed for Dental work. I'm a retired nurse and admit, I took old, expired Penicilin for several of my last dental cleanings...whether that made a difference, I don't know. I've been told even though I don't have any metal in me, I still need to take premed before Dental work and I will do so. My metal hip had been in me for 15 years. I don't have much pain now that a couple Tylenol a day takes care of it. Please keep us posted how your surgery goes and you will be in my prayers......Cindy

Catherine....I forgot to tell you that I eat Activa yogurt daily..but I've been a yogurt eater for 50 years! (I'm 70) I also take probiotic capsule once daily but have been doing that for over 20 years. I'm on Duricef 500mg twice daily and no GI issues with it at all.....sometimes vaginal yeast, but when that happens, I have Diflucan pill to take for it. When in the hospital after surgery, I did get a very sore mouth and tongue about day 5. I diagnosed that one as Oral Thrush from antibiotics and sure enough, after they prescribed the Nystatin Liquid swish and spit for me.....that cleared up. I continued on that for about 4 -5 weeks. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks after my surgery......Cindy