GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Tarsus Medical, Inc.	Jan. 24, 2013 Tarsus Medical, Inc.	Jun. 30, 2013 U.S. Neurosurgery	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Neurosurgery	Jun. 30, 2013 U.S. Instruments	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Instruments	Jun. 30, 2013 U.S. Extremities	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Extremities	Jun. 30, 2013 U.S. Extremities Tarsus Medical, Inc.	Jun. 30, 2013 U.S. Spine And Other	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Spine And Other	Jun. 30, 2013 International	Dec. 31, 2012 International
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross		$ 294,067				$ 94,312		$ 57,514		$ 60,353			$ 56,219		$ 25,669
Accumulated impairment losses
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning period, December 31, 2012	294,067			116	94,312		57,514		60,353			56,219		25,669
Goodwill acquired during period			116								116
Foreign currency translation	(1,302)				(417)		(255)		(267)			(249)		(114)
Ending period, June 30, 2013	$ 292,881			$ 116	$ 93,895		$ 57,259		$ 60,202			$ 55,970		$ 25,555