Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 04, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NUVASIVE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001142596
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	NUVA
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,248,457
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	000-50744
Entity Tax Identification Number	33-0768598
Entity Address, Address Line One	7475 Lusk Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92121
City Area Code	(858)
Local Phone Number	909-1800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false