SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 Segment	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Segment	Sep. 30, 2010
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of operating segments	4		4
Number of reportable segments	1		1
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	$ 79,432	$ 82,917	$ 249,864	$ 251,148
Percentage of Net Product Sales (as a percent)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Sports Medicine
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	52,101	56,973	165,967	172,133
Percentage of Net Product Sales (as a percent)	65.60%	68.70%	66.40%	68.50%
Sports Medicine | International
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	18,850	16,944	58,987	50,012
ENT
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	24,897	23,015	76,635	69,935
Percentage of Net Product Sales (as a percent)	31.30%	27.80%	30.70%	27.90%
ENT | International
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	4,851	3,636	13,903	10,945
Other
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	2,434	2,929	7,262	9,080
Percentage of Net Product Sales (as a percent)	3.10%	3.50%	2.90%	3.60%
Other | International
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	1,776	1,913	5,059	5,965
Americas
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	53,955	60,424	171,915	184,226
Percentage of Net Product Sales (as a percent)	67.90%	72.90%	68.80%	73.40%
Sports Medicine - Americas
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	33,251	40,029	106,980	122,121
Ear Nose and Throat ("ENT") - Americas
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	20,046	19,379	62,732	58,990
Other - Americas
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	658	1,016	2,203	3,115
International
Product sales by operating segment and product area
Product sales	$ 25,477	$ 22,493	$ 77,949	$ 66,922
Percentage of Net Product Sales (as a percent)	32.10%	27.10%	31.20%	26.60%