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                                                                       Exhibit 5


                                August 11, 1998



Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd., Inc.
15990 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260


     Re:   Registration Statement on Form SB-2


Ladies and Gentlemen:

   
     We have acted as counsel to Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd., Inc., an Arizona
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing with
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the Company's Registration Statement
on Form SB-2 (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the registration of
2,875,000 shares of common stock, no par value ("Common Stock"), including
375,000 shares which may be issued pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment
option. In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have reviewed the
Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. In addition, we have reviewed
the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction,
of all such corporate records of the Company and such other instruments and
other certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the
Company, and other persons, and we have made such investigation of law, as we
have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below. In
rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed (i) the genuineness of
signatures not witnessed, the authenticity of documents submitted as originals,
and the conformity to originals of documents submitted as copies, (ii) the legal
capacity of all natural persons executing the documents discussed herein, (iii)
that such documents accurately describe and contain the mutual understanding of
the parties and that there are no oral or written statements or agreements that
modify, amend, or vary or purport to modify, amend, or vary any of the terms of
such documents, and (iv) that, as to documents executed by entities other than
the Company, that such entity had the power to enter into and perform its
obligations under such documents, and that such documents have been duly
authorized, executed, and delivered by, and are valid, binding upon, and
enforceable against, such entities.
    

     Based upon the foregoing, we advise you that, in our opinion, when the
following events have occurred:

     (a)   The Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities
Act;

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Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd., Inc.
August 11, 1998
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     (b) The due authorization, registration, and delivery of the certificate or
certificates evidencing the Common Stock;

     (c) The Common Stock is issued and sold and consideration has been
received therefor in the manner specified in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits thereto;

     (d) The compliance with all applicable contracts, agreements, and
instruments in respect of the issuance of the Common Stock has occurred; and

     (e) The receipt of all necessary approvals, consents or waivers, and the
satisfaction of all necessary conditions, to the issuance of the Common Stock
shall have been obtained or satisfied; then
 
          1. The Common Stock to be issued by you will be legally issued, fully
paid, and non-assessable.

     The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal law of the United States
of America and the laws of the State of Arizona. We express no opinion as to the
application of the various state securities laws to the offer, sale, issuance,
or delivery of the Common Stock.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus included therein.

     We have also reviewed and approved the statements in the Prospectus under
the captions "Risk Factors--Reliance on and Uncertainty Relating to Patents and
Proprietary Technology; Risk of Infringement" and "Business--Patents and
Proprietary Rights" and to the references to our firm under the caption
"Experts."

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           SNELL & WILMER L.L.P.

                                           /s/ Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.