Earnings per share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2023	Jul. 02, 2022	Jul. 01, 2023	Jul. 02, 2022
Numerator:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations, net of tax	$ (4,731)	$ (7,734)	$ (104,749)	$ (22,139)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — continuing operations	1,050	762	21,410	4,291
Net loss attributable to Bioventus Inc. Class A common stockholders — continuing operations	(3,681)	(6,972)	(83,339)	(17,848)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(280)	(74,429)	(681)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest - discontinued operations	0	0	14,937	0
Net loss attributable to Bioventus Inc. Class A common stockholders — discontinued operations	$ 0	$ (280)	$ (59,492)	$ (681)
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - basic (in shares)	62,551,285	61,475,350	62,338,018	60,977,556
Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding - diluted (in shares)	62,551,285	61,475,350	62,338,018	60,977,556
Net loss per share of Class A common stock from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (1.34)	$ (0.29)
Net loss per share of Class A common stock from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	(0.06)	(0.11)	(1.34)	(0.29)
Net loss per share of Class A common stock from discontinuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	0	0	(0.95)	(0.01)
Net loss per share of Class A common stock from discontinuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	0	0	(0.95)	(0.01)
Net loss per share of class A common stock, basic (in dollars per share)	(0.06)	(0.11)	(2.29)	(0.30)
Net loss per share of class A common stock, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (2.29)	$ (0.30)