Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	[1],[2]	Sep. 30, 2016	[2]	Jun. 30, 2016	[2],[3]	Mar. 31, 2016	[1],[2],[4]	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	[5]	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 6,376		$ 3,926		$ 30,213		$ (3,368)		$ 11,503	$ 12,960	$ 10,268	$ 31,560		$ 37,147	$ 66,291	$ (16,720)
Denominator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic														50,077	48,687	46,715
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
Warrants														1,297	177
Senior Convertible Notes														1,141	1,314
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted														54,102	52,424	46,715
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 0.13		$ 0.08		$ 0.60		$ (0.07)		$ 0.23	$ 0.26	$ 0.21	$ 0.66		$ 0.74	$ 1.36	$ (0.36)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.	$ 0.11		$ 0.07		$ 0.57		$ (0.07)		$ 0.22	$ 0.24	$ 0.20	$ 0.61		$ 0.69	$ 1.26	$ (0.36)
Stock Options And E S P P
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
Stock options and ESPP														314	1,089
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Dilutive potential common stock outstanding:
Stock options and ESPP														1,273	1,157

[1] Consolidated financial results include losses from repurchases of Senior Convertible Notes due 2017 of $17.4 million and $1.7 million in the first and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2016, respectively.

[2] The unaudited quarterly financial data set forth for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes the operations and results of Ellipse Technologies, BNN Holdings and the Company’s other acquisitions from their respective dates of acquisition. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for further discussion.

[3] Consolidated financial results include a litigation liability gain of $43.3 million in connection with the settlement of all outstanding litigation matters with Medtronic.

[4] The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09 in the second quarter of 2016. As a result, the Company recorded a retrospective adjustment to the previously reported first quarter 2016 provision for income taxes of approximately $5.5 million for the recognition of excess tax benefits in the provision for income taxes rather than additional paid-in capital and a decrease in net loss per share of $0.11 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for further discussion.

[5] Consolidated financial results include a purchase order for $4.8 million from an organization established by certain former stockholders of Ellipse Technologies. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for further discussion on the purchase order.