SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Net Sales and Profit by Reportable Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales	$ 214,432	$ 210,084	$ 210,170	$ 196,185	$ 203,523	$ 202,185	$ 193,329	$ 181,041	$ 830,871	$ 780,078	$ 732,068
Segment Profit									294,279	269,674	267,780
Amortization									(18,536)	(16,433)	(12,017)
Corporate and other									(201,961)	(198,329)	(157,069)
Operating income									73,782	54,912	98,694
U.S. Neurosurgery
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									171,278	165,652	165,606
Segment Profit									91,070	86,206	83,804
U.S. Instruments
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									162,323	155,833	157,853
Segment Profit									36,550	29,753	27,350
U.S. Extremities
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									122,847	98,109	89,529
Segment Profit									49,432	38,540	39,347
U.S. Spine and Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									190,546	174,479	152,274
Segment Profit									55,891	51,011	57,643
International
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									183,877	186,005	166,806
Segment Profit									$ 61,336	$ 64,164	$ 59,636