SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Net Sales and Profit by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 215,059	$ 196,652
Operating income	8,738	(2,190)
Intangible asset amortization	(3,033)	(3,551)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	79,211	64,734
Operating Segments | U.S. Neurosurgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	54,383	38,996
Operating income	27,788	17,768
Operating Segments | U.S. Instruments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	36,720	36,948
Operating income	10,481	10,084
Operating Segments | U.S. Extremities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	31,912	31,361
Operating income	11,753	10,791
Operating Segments | U.S. Spine And Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	41,067	43,548
Operating income	11,977	13,213
Operating Segments | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	50,977	45,799
Operating income	17,212	12,878
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ (67,440)	$ (63,373)