EXHIBIT 5.1

                                April 12, 2001

                                                            File No. 029933-2001


Interpore International, Inc.
181 Technology Drive
Irvine, California 92618

RE:   Registration of 1,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
      share, of Interpore International, Inc., pursuant to a Registration
      Statement on Form S-8
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Gentlemen:

          At your request, we have examined the registration statement on Form
S-8 (the "Registration Statement") being filed by Interpore International, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company") on April 12, 2001, with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, of 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01
par value (the "Shares"), issuable under The 2000 Equity Participation Plan of
Interpore International, Inc. (the "Plan").

          In our capacity as your counsel in connection with such registration,
we are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the
Company in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Shares and, for
the purposes of this opinion, we have assumed such proceedings will be timely
completed in the manner presently proposed.  In addition, we have made such
legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of
originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of
such documents, corporate records and instruments, as we have deemed necessary
or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.

          In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the
conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as
copies.  We have been furnished with, and with your consent have relied upon,
certificates of officers of the Company with respect to certain factual matters.
In addition, we have obtained and relied upon such certificates and assurances
from public officials as we have deemed necessary.

     We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and we express no opinion
with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of
any other jurisdiction or, in the case of Delaware, any other laws, or as to any
matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within the
state.

          Subject to the foregoing and in reliance thereon, we are of the
opinion that, as of the date hereof, upon the issuance and sale of the Shares by
the Company, each in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and
in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Shares will be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable securities in the Company

     This opinion is rendered only to the Company and is solely for the benefit
of the Company in connection with the transaction covered hereby.  This opinion
may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, quoted to
or relied upon, by any other person, firm or corporation for any purpose,
without our prior written consent.

     We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.


                                    Very truly yours,
                                    /s/ LATHAM & WATKINS