SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION - Net Sales and Profit by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 229,719	$ 213,246		$ 676,129	$ 615,445
Operating income	17,727	(31,141)	[1]	38,857	(27,775)	[1]
Intangible asset amortization	(2,995)	(3,036)	[1]	(9,013)	(9,660)	[1]
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	91,566	33,560		259,232	167,199
Operating Segments | U.S. Neurosurgery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	62,323	45,114		177,265	125,877
Operating income	35,889	23,080		94,247	59,770
Operating Segments | U.S. Instruments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	39,853	43,004		116,078	121,900
Operating income	12,416	13,713		34,728	35,963
Operating Segments | U.S. Extremities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	36,746	31,831		103,083	93,802
Operating income	14,983	13,117		40,907	34,613
Operating Segments | U.S. Spine And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	42,015	47,408		128,168	134,889
Operating income	13,108	(31,043)		39,801	(4,844)
Operating Segments | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	48,782	45,889		151,535	138,977
Operating income	15,170	14,693		49,549	41,697
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ (70,844)	$ (61,665)		$ (211,362)	$ (185,314)

[1] See Note 1 of these condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion of the impact of the change in accounting for the medical device excise tax.