4 1 d4.txt FORM 4 +--------+ | FORM 4 | U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION +--------+ WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 [_] Check this box if no longer subject STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities obligations may Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the continue. See Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Instruction 1(b). Section 30(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Type or Print Responses) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Name and Address of Reporting Person* Smith & Nephew plc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Last) (First) (Middle) 15 Adam Street -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Street) London United Kingdom WC2N 6LA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (City) (State) (Zip) 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol ORATEC Interventions, Inc. (OTEC) ----------------------------------- 3. I.R.S. Identification Number of Reporting Person, if an entity (voluntary) 98-0224867 -------------- 4. Statement for Month/Year 3/2002 --------------------------------------------------- 5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Year) --------------------------------- 6. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) ___ Director ___ Officer _X_ 10% Owner ___ Other (give title below) (specify below) ---------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Individual or Joint/Group Reporting (Check Applicable Line) ____ Form filed by One Reporting Person _X__ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person Table I--Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned

Table II--Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)

Table II--Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)

Explanation of Responses: Purchases were made pursuant to a tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of ORATEC Interventions, Inc., including the associated preferred stock purchase rights. /s/ Peter Hooley 4/10/2002 ------------------------------- ----------------- **Signature of Reporting Person Date Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly. * If this form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v). ** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a). Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space provided is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure. Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number. FORM 4 (continued) Joint Filer Information Name: Smith & Nephew, Inc. IRS Indentification Number: 51-123924 Issuer: ORATEC Interventions, Inc. Signature SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. By: /s/ James A. Ralston ------------------------------------- Name: James A. Ralston Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel Name: Orchid Merger Corp. Address: 1450 Brooks Road Memphis, Tennessee 38116 Issuer: ORATEC Interventions, Inc. Signature ORCHID MERGER CORP. By: /s/ James A. Ralston ----------------------------------- Name: James A. Ralston Title: Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel Page 2

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