EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the use of our report dated January 17, 2000, in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-95815) and related Prospectus of ORATEC Interventions, Inc. for the registration of 4,600,000 shares of its common stock. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Palo Alto, California March 10, 2000