Juanita Flores is a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who has spent decades afflicted with arthritis resulting in joint stiffness and nerve pain, causing numbness and tingling in her arms, legs, and toes. Juanita tried numerous therapies and surgeries, but the discomfort became too much to bear. Then, a referral to board-certified neurosurgeon and Medical Director of the Spine Program at Washington Health’s Bell Neuroscience Institute Eldan B. Eichbaum, MD, dramatically changed Juanita’s life for the better.
Juanita is a Fremont resident and formerly owned a shop in Niles with her son Jonathan. Her lifelong struggle with arthritis led her to undergo two back surgeries in the 1970s, two neck surgeries in the 1990s, hand surgeries, and more recently, successful bilateral knee replacements. She is strong, and for years pushed through the pain in her back and neck. She adjusted her routine, relied on rest when she could, and hoped each day would be a little better than the last. Following a car crash and softball accident, more damage was done to her spine, and the pain became impossible to ignore. Simple activities like walking, making her bed, caring for her plants, and playing with her two beloved dachshunds became unmanageable.
“I tried everything from acupuncture and joint injections to costly chiropractic care,” said Juanita. “Everything failed to relieve the pressure except chiropractic decompression treatments three times a week, which provided temporary relief; but the pain would soon return, and my legs would be numb and tingling again.”
Right Surgeon at the Right Time
The time had come to see another specialist. Juanita was evaluated and had an MRI performed by a local orthopedic doctor who referred her to Dr. Eichbaum. Juanita researched Dr. Eichbaum online, reading about his impressive background and excellent outcomes. She was confident she had found the right surgeon. Dr. Eichbaum impressed Juanita with his knowledge and genuine compassion.
“You can feel the love for what he does and how he truly wants to help you,” Juanita said about Dr. Eichbaum. “He works closely with you, taking time to explain your test results, considering non-surgical treatments, and making sure the patient wants to move forward with surgery. This was a refreshing change from past doctors telling me what I should do. I was so relieved I found Dr. Eichbaum.”
This year, Washington Health’s Spine Program, led by Dr. Eichbaum, again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery by demonstrating continuous compliance with its rigorous performance standards. The Gold Seal symbolizes excellence and a commitment to provide safe, high-quality patient care. Washington Health is one of only six hospitals in California to attain this prestigious certification.
Juanita decided to move forward with surgery to address the severe arthritis and relieve pressure on the nerves in her cervical spine. The first procedure in January 2025 consisted of a cervical fusion, including laminectomy and fixation. A laminectomy removes the lamina (the bony arch of a vertebra) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves caused by spinal stenosis. This was followed by spinal fusion to stabilize the spine using titanium hardware. In April 2026, she underwent a second procedure that included a laminectomy on two vertebrae in her lumbar spine.
“Team Juanita”
Juanita talks about the skilled, compassionate Washington Health nurses that supported her during her hospital stays. They helped her manage pain since she prefers only Tylenol over prescription pain medications. Juanita refers to the physical therapists who came to her home as “family,” because they became her coaches and were so kind to her, as well as her devoted son and granddaughter who helped care for her. She worked diligently during her rehabilitation, because every range-of-motion and strengthening exercise brought her closer to the life she wanted to reclaim.
Following the surgeries, Juanita began to notice remarkable changes. The pain that had once dominated her life was fading. She could keep her house up again and enjoy more time with her three children, six grandkids, and beautiful great granddaughter. Juanita is excited about her upcoming 80th birthday and is relieved and joyful to finally be pain free. Her journey is a story of resilience, the power of a supportive “Team Juanita,” and an expert, caring spinal surgeon. “I am serious, and it comes from my heart when I say Dr. Eichbaum is a 10, shared Juanita. “I wish he could be my doctor for everything!”
For more information on Dr. Eichbaum, go to washingtonhealth.com/find-your-provider/eldan-bern-eichbaum-md. To learn more about the Spine Program at Washington Health’s Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley, visit washingtonhealth.com/services/neuroscience/spine.