Washington Orthopaedic Center

10/29/2025

Fall is the perfect time for crisp walks, hikes, and outdoor fun 🍂
Just remember — warming up before activity can prevent injuries and keep your joints happy!
💪 If pain or stiffness is holding you back, we’re here to help you get moving again.

10/17/2025

"I am dedicated to providing quality orthopedic care in a compassionate and positive environment." 💙

For Dr. Birchard, orthopedics is more than just medicine — it’s about understanding each patient’s unique story.
He says, “One of the things that attracts me to orthopedics is the challenge of analyzing my patient’s unique symptoms, determining the diagnosis, and then finding the most appropriate treatment that meets the needs of the individual patient.”

With expertise in hand and upper extremity surgery, joint replacement, and minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Birchard is committed to helping patients move comfortably and confidently again. Learn more at WaOrtho.com

10/11/2025

Dr Dujela just returned from University of Western Australia in Perth where he was the keynote speaker at a foot and ankle surgery conference. It was a quick 2.5 day trip (60 hours of travel and six flights !) where he gave several lectures and lab demonstrations on surgical techniques. We continue to promote education and surgical training internationally as well as here at home with our nationally recognized surgical fellowship program at Washington Orthopaedic Center.

10/10/2025

We love hearing from patients who feel supported every step of the way! At Washington Orthopaedic Center, we know that care starts long before surgery day and we’re honored to help patients feel confident, informed, and cared for throughout their journey. 💙

10/03/2025

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?

Before joining Washington Orthopaedic Center, Dr. Chad Bender completed a fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, one of the most prestigious hand surgery programs in the country. Today, he brings that same level of expertise to patients across our community. 🖐️

10/02/2025

We are so excited for the future of Orthopaedic care in our region!

What’s better than one best-in-class orthopaedic group in the South Sound? TWO—coming together as ONE.

We’re excited to share that Washington Orthopaedic Center (Centralia) and Olympia Orthopaedic Associates (Olympia) are joining forces!

The new combined group will operate under the Olympia Orthopaedic Associates name, with Washington Orthopaedic Center proudly continuing as its own division.

✨ What this means for you:
• The same trusted care from the doctors you know
• Even more locations across the South Sound
• Expanded specialties and services

Stay tuned as we move toward an effective date of January 1st—and get ready for the future of orthopaedic care in our region!

09/25/2025

We are incredibly honored to announce that our very own Dr Dujela has been appointed President of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS)

This prestigious role represents over 10,000 board-qualified and certified foot and ankle surgeons across North America. It underscores a commitment to the highest standards of surgical care and patient safety.

ABFAS’s mission is to “safeguard public health and well-being by certifying and continuously assessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of podiatric surgeons to ensure excellence in surgical care.” This national recognition reflects Dr. Dujela’s dedication to advancing the art and science of foot and ankle surgery.

We are proud of this achievement and look forward to the continued impact on our profession and the patients we serve.
foot.and.ankle.surgeons AO North America

09/17/2025

A Smaller Incision. A Faster Recovery. ✨

Arthroscopic surgery makes it possible to treat joint problems with just a small incision. Using a tiny camera, our orthopedic surgeons can view cartilage, ligaments, and other tissues on a big screen—allowing precise repairs without the need for traditional open surgery.

That means:
✔️ Less pain
✔️ Quicker recovery
✔️ Many patients go home the very same day

Arthroscopy is often used for shoulder, wrist, knee, elbow, and ankle injuries—including rotator cuff tears, carpal tunnel syndrome, ACL tears, and more.

If joint pain is slowing you down, we’re here to help. Learn more at WaOrtho.com

09/12/2025

Check out this wonderful review for Dr. Bender and our amazing team here at Washington Orthopaedic Center. 💙

Your kind words mean so much to us, and we’re grateful for every patient who takes the time to share their experience. Thank you for trusting us with your orthopedic care!

09/05/2025

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?

Washington Orthopaedic Center offers Stryker Mako Robotic‑Arm Assisted Surgery, enabling more accurate, minimally invasive joint replacements with faster recovery and better outcomes. Learn more at WaOrtho.com

08/28/2025

With fall sports and outdoor projects right around the corner, it’s important to protect your joints and muscles from injury. Whether your student is hitting the football field, or you’re tackling that late-summer yard work, here are a few simple tips:

👉 Warm up before activity – even 5–10 minutes of light movement helps.
👉 Stretch key muscle groups after activity to keep flexibility.
👉 Wear proper footwear for support and traction.
👉 Don’t ignore early aches—small pains can turn into bigger injuries.

At Washington Orthopaedic Center, we’re here to help you stay strong, active, and pain-free for every season ahead. 💪

08/21/2025

We love hearing feedback like this! 💙 At Washington Orthopaedic Center, our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, professional care that makes every patient feel valued. Thank you to our patients for trusting us with your care!