Dr. Dwight Lin, MD

Dr. Dwight Lin, MD "Knee care, not knee surgery." Anti Drug. Anti Surgery.
✅ Pro PRP. ✅ Pro Stem cell. Dr. Dwight Lin is Hawaii’s only Regenexx Physician Specialist.

His clinic Regenerative Medicine & Rehabilitation of Hawaii is based in Honolulu and is accepting patients. He graduated from Cornell University and worked at the National Institutes of Health before graduating from Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. He completed his specialty residency at Harvard Medical School.

02/07/2026

This one’s for the surfers.
Ever notice how missing just a few days in the water makes you feel… off?

That’s not weakness.
That’s your nervous system missing its reset.

Movement, salt water, sunlight — they matter more than we’re taught to believe.

02/06/2026

GeraniumGirl0 asked about topical arnica for knee pain, and it’s a great question.

Arnica is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory, and studies in rheumatology journals have even looked at arnica injections for knee arthritis. The key points matter: it should be done with image guidance, without cortisone, and as part of a plan that includes the right rehab to keep swelling down and restore movement.

Natural options can play a real role — when they’re used correctly and thoughtfully.

02/05/2026

BMAC stands for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate.
It’s a fluid taken from your own body that contains your stem cells.

These cells help signal repair, support healing, and are used when there’s more advanced tissue damage — not as a quick fix, but as a biologic option aimed at recovery.

If you’re considering injections, always ask what’s being used and where it comes from.

02/04/2026

Olivia asked about seeing her surgeon after a knee replacement — especially when range of motion isn’t coming back as expected.

After a total knee replacement, most surgeons want to see well past 90°, ideally 120–130° of bend. If that doesn’t happen, some patients may need a brief return to the OR for a manipulation under anesthesia, where the knee is gently pushed while you’re asleep.

That said, the goal is always to get there with consistent outpatient physical therapy, not another procedure. A strong rehab program early on makes a huge difference in long-term results.

02/03/2026

Before you commit to knee surgery, that’s the best time to ask about PRP injections.

PRP doesn’t work well during surgery.
It works even worse after surgery.

But before the operating room?
That’s where PRP can make the biggest difference — and sometimes help you avoid surgery altogether.

Always ask about your options before something irreversible is done.

01/31/2026

What medical procedure is like putting duct tape over your car’s check engine light?

RF ablation.
It burns the nerves that carry pain signals from your knee or spine. Sounds good at first — less pain.

But here’s the problem: those nerves also provide proprioception, your body’s ability to sense position, force, and stability. When you remove that feedback, joints lose protection, muscles weaken, and wear and tear often accelerates over time.

Less pain today can mean more damage tomorrow. Treating pain should never come at the cost of joint health.

01/30/2026

Great question. Most meniscus tears do not need surgery.

Studies show that partial meniscectomy can speed up arthritis later on. Whether a tear heals depends on size, location, and blood supply — not just MRI wording. Meniscus cysts often form when joint fluid tracks through a split tear, and they don’t automatically mean surgery is required.

Before arthroscopy, explore smarter options first:
• Targeted physical therapy
• Bracing to offload the joint
• Orthobiologic treatments like PRP or stem cells to support healing

Once meniscus tissue is removed, you can’t get it back. Always understand your options before committing to surgery.

01/29/2026

Most people don’t realize this: repeated cortisone injections for knee arthritis or meniscus injuries can increase your risk of needing a knee replacement later in life.

Cortisone often feels great short term because it shuts down inflammation — but over time, it can damage cartilage and the joint lining.

If cortisone is used at all, it should be:
• Low dose
• Infrequent
• Part of a bigger plan to identify the real cause of pain

If injections are needed, ask about options like concentrated platelets (PRP) that support healing instead of breaking tissue down.

01/28/2026

Yes - sometimes you can run with a meniscus tear. But that doesn’t mean it’s healed.

Meniscus tears can be unpredictable. Pain may disappear for weeks or months, then return. Common warning signs include clicking, popping, buckling, locking, or swelling from fluid buildup that limits motion.

Whether running is safe depends on tear size, location, and knee mechanics — not just pain level. That’s why a careful, in-person evaluation with a sports medicine specialist matters. The goal isn’t just pain control, it’s helping the meniscus heal and protecting the knee long term.

If you’re unsure, get it checked before pushing through it.

01/26/2026

Before you get a cellular injection for knee pain, follow these 3 critical steps:

1. Make sure the physician evaluating you and performing the injection is an MD or DO — not just delegating the procedure.
2. Ask about their training and background. Did they specialize in areas that actually treat knees?
3. Confirm the cells are live and from your own body. Frozen amniotic, umbilical, or Wharton’s jelly products do not contain live cells and are not FDA-approved for orthopedic injections.

The right doctor and the right cells matter.

01/24/2026

Yes. Removing fluid first can absolutely help.

That excess knee fluid is inflammatory and caustic.
It contains proteins that can further damage cartilage inside the joint.

Before injecting hyaluronic acid like Synvisc, the knee should be aspirated.
Clear out the inflammatory fluid first, then inject where it can actually help.

This step is often overlooked, but it can make a big difference in outcomes.

01/23/2026

If your MRI only mentions arthritis but your symptoms changed fast, something may have been missed.

Meniscus root tears are commonly overlooked on imaging and can drastically alter knee biomechanics. Treating knee pain isn’t about “where it hurts” — it’s about how the knee moves, loads, and stabilizes.

Look for a real physician (MD or DO) with training in sports medicine, PM&R, or orthobiologics who evaluates:
• Gait and biomechanics
• Meniscus and cartilage quality
• Ligaments, tendons, and nerve control
• Alignment and symmetry of the joint
• Uses image guidance, not blind injections

Getting the right diagnosis changes everything.

Address

1441 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1525
Honolulu, HI
96814

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18085285500

Website

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