Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance		$ 234,815	$ 295,068
Goodwill impairment	(60,302)	0	(60,302)	0
Goodwill resulting from business acquisitions		22,021	0
Foreign currency translation		(15)	49
Goodwill ending balance	234,815	256,821	234,815	295,068
CONMED Electrosurgery [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill ending balance	16,645	16,645	16,645
CONMED Endosurgery [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill ending balance	42,439	42,439	42,439
CONMED Linvatec [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill ending balance	175,731	197,737	175,731
CONMED Patient Care and Endoscopic Technologies [Member]
Goodwill accumulated impairment loss [Abstract]
Total accumulated impairment losses	$ 106,991	$ 106,991	$ 106,991