Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Linvatec Corporation [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member] Linvatec Corporation [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member] Other Acquisitions Excluding ConMed Linvatec [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 CONMED Patient Care [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 CONMED Patient Care [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 234,815,000	$ 234,815,000	$ 295,068,000	$ 290,505,000									$ 0	$ 60,302,000
Other intangible assets, net	195,531,000	195,531,000	190,091,000
Percent of fair values exceeding carrying values, minimum	42.00%
Percent of fair values exceeding carrying values, maximum	107.00%
Goodwill impairment		60,302,000	0	0									60,302,000
Acquired Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Number of years of historical revenue attrition used to evaluate acquired finite-lived intangible assets useful life									5
Annual attrition rate used to evaluate acquired finite-lived intangible assets useful life									2.60%
Weighted average amortization period (in years)		29								33	38	15
Fair Value of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt interest rate					2.50%	2.50%	2.50%	2.50%
Fair value of the Notes					300,000	111,700,000
Shipping and handling costs		8,800,000	7,900,000	11,300,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,183,000	$ 1,183,000	$ 1,066,000