EXHIBIT 5.1

                              March 28, 2000

ORATEC Interventions, Inc.
3700 Haven Court
Menlo Park, CA 94025

  Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-95815)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

  We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-95815)
(the "Registration Statement") filed by you, ORATEC Interventions, Inc., with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2000, and as amended by
Amendment No. 1 filed on March 2, 2000, Amendment No. 2 filed on March 10, 2000
and Amendment No. 3 filed on March 28, 2000, in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of shares of your
Common Stock (the "Shares"). As your counsel in connection with this
transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and we are familiar with
the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and
issuance of the Shares.

  It is our opinion that, assuming effectiveness of the Registration Statement,
the Shares when issued and sold in the manner described in the Registration
Statement will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

  We are admitted to practice law only in the State of California, and,
accordingly, we express no opinion as to any matter relating to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the laws of California, the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, and the federal securities laws of the United States. We
consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and in any amendment thereto.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          Venture Law Group
                                          A Professional Corporation

                                          /s/ Venture Law Group