Accepting new patients

Clifford Lin, M.D., M.A.Sc, F.R.C.S.(C)

Accepting new patients

  • Associate Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine

Expertise

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Orthopaedics and rehabilitation

Special focus

  • Spinal Surgery
  • Spine

Locations and contact

I see patients at

About me

Dr. Lin is committed to ensuring patients receive the highest quality, patient-centered care. He specializes in the comprehensive care of spinal disease, from the cervical spine (neck) to the sacrum (tailbone). This includes degenerative conditions (disc herniation and stenosis), as well as spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis and spondylolisthesis). He also has further interest in complex spinal conditions and revision surgery. Dr. Lin has advanced training in minimally invasive techniques to minimize surgical trauma and maximize recovery.

The diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions is a complex process, and Dr. Lin relies on a thorough assessment to recommend the right surgery for the right patient at the right time.

Read patient stories from some of Dr. Lin's patients.

Languages spoken

  • English

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • M.D., 2009, Queen’s University

  • Residency

    • Orthopaedics, University of Toronto, Canada, 2014

  • Fellowship

    • Spine surgery, University of Toronto (University Health Network – Toronto Western Hospital), 2015

  • Certifications

    • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2017

Memberships and associations:

  • AO Spine North America
Read faculty profile

Insurance

Before scheduling your appointment, we recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any copayments, co–insurance, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with OHSU providers, your out of pocket liability may be higher. Visit the billing and insurance section of our site for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.8 out of 5 (151 Ratings, 53 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. We are very happy with our experience. We appreciate your help. Thank you.

  2. Dr. Lin has been my doctor for two spine surgery and I am very grateful for his expertise.

  3. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with Dr. Lin. He seems very up-to-date and compassionate towards his patients, at least towards me, and he was very informative as far as the upcoming surgery. So anyway, I would highly recommend him for the little bit that I know him right now. I'm hoping that our relationship continues to get better as he tries to get my back problem solved. Thank you.

  4. Dr. Lin is always very friendly. He answers my questions. He doesn't make me feel rushed. I would recommend him to anybody.

  5. Excellent surgeon, kind and friendly. Knows your history before he walks in office

  6. Doctor Lin was very pleased after comparing my new x-ray with my previous one. The repairs he made two years ago seem to be holding just fine. Yes, I have a few achy places; however, I am taking the same OTC pain meds as I have been taking for months. He did not give me any follow-up appointment; but finished by saying that if my pain level rises or ability to walk lessens that I may call on his services again.

  7. Dr. Lin was my surgeon on February 13 2024 he performed a surgery on my neck 5,6,7 I was able to get up and walk around after my surgery I had been in a wheelchair for years and now I can walk with the use of my walker. I'm so greatful for his gifted hands to heal me!!

  8. My Doctor is very kind and good doctor.

  9. great

  10. Provider is professional and thorough with providing progress of care, expectations and results of surgery. Very friendly and positive demeanor. One of the best providers I have ever experienced.

  11. He is trustworthy and gives me good advice.

  12. The staff, the doctor, everyone was very nice and very cordial for my appointment. Thank you.

  13. Very thorough with exam and explanations

  14. Dr. Lin is the best orthopedic surgeon that OHSU has and I would highly recommend him to anybody who needs any type of spine or neck surgery. He is definitely worth his weight in gold and you are very lucky to have him. I appreciate him so much being a two times neck surgery person. I've had two fusions and he did them both. Both results were outstanding. I really appreciate everything he did for me so much and would definitely recommend him to absolutely anybody.

  15. My experience with Dr. Lin including a major surgery went really well. He's very friendly. He told me everything that was going to happen. I asked questions and he answered them. His staff was really nice. I don't have any complaints.

  16. Great. Best doctor in the world.

  17. It has been good. I would like a new back and right knee........

  18. Dr. Lin is thorough and set up a plan to try to control my pain. (My car was covered with ice, so he met with me virtually.)

  19. Dr. Lin was wonderful. The person who came in before the assistant was not wonderful. It was a very bad experience with him. And he should check his bedside manner at the door.

  20. Dr. Lin has a great bedside manner and so far I have been very happy with the outcome of my surgery

  21. All round extremely professional and empathetic.

  22. He was very informant and we're waiting for our next step. So until then, everything's really, really good. I rate him a 10 so far. Thank you.

  23. Dr Lin is very knowledgeable and caring. He has a good staff that helps with all of the other aspects before and after surgery.

  24. I had a phone call with Dr Lynn. He explained everything to me about my surgery that is upcoming. He is very easy to talk to and answered all my questions perfectly. Thank you

  25. I was given a second chance to enjoy life.

  26. Dr. Lin is very kind and easy to communicate with. He listens to what I have to say and is very understanding. I am so glad I went to him for my surgery!

  27. Dr. Lin was excellent, in responding to my questions and my daughter, as well and I appreciate his feedback and and his demeanor, his concern and his positive. Look towards doing the best for me, for my future surgery, so thank you very much and I still have more questions to ask that I forgot, so, but thank you Dr. Lin. He's a wonderful doctor.

  28. Was fantastic, the whole office staff there is fantastic. Really appreciate everything they're doing there.

  29. Dr. Lin was very personable and knowledgeable and we're very happy with him. Thank you.

  30. Dr. Linn is an excellent doctor and an even better person. He cares about his patients.

  31. Surgery went super smoothly. Surprisingly little discomfort.

  32. He's kind and offers to answer any question s,.seems to genuinely care about pain levels, and discomfort.