STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Jul. 02, 2015 USD ($)	May 31, 2010 shares	Jul. 31, 2008 shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) stock_based_compensation_plan $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 41.78
Shares available for purchase (in shares) | shares	2,200,000				2,200,000
Number of stock-based compensation plans | stock_based_compensation_plan					3
Share-based compensation expense recognized					$ 17,310	$ 15,450	$ 14,554
Dividend yield					0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Intrinsic value, options exercised					$ 9,700	$ 5,800	$ 7,700
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 12.48	$ 8.59	$ 9.08
Cash received from option exercises					$ 14,400	$ 10,100	$ 18,700
Capitalized compensation cost					500	300	200
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested awards	$ 4,000				$ 4,000
Weighted-average period for cost recognition, in years					2 years
Restricted Stock, Performance Stock and Contract Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense recognized					$ 15,600	10,200	13,100
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested awards	$ 14,800				$ 14,800
Weighted-average period for cost recognition, in years					2 years
Fair value of shares vested					$ 16,200	19,900	$ 9,400
Requisite service periods of performance stock, restricted stock and contract stock awards, in years					3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period					3 years
Non issued vested restricted stock units (in shares) | shares	400,000				400,000
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non issued vested restricted stock units (in shares) | shares	200,000				200,000
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale, Spinoff | SeaSpine Inc.
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incremental increase in stock based award expense after spinoff		$ 4,400
Share-based compensation expense recognized					$ 700	$ 3,300
Total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested awards	$ 400				$ 400
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options exercisable for officers and employees, vesting period, in years					4 years
Stock options exercisable for directors, vesting period, in years					1 year
Stock options exercisable for directors, expiration period, in years					6 years
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options exercisable for employees, expiration period, in years					6 years
Stock options exercisable for directors, expiration period, in years					10 years
2003 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for issuance (in shares) | shares	13,000,000				13,000,000
Increase in authorized shares (in shares) | shares			3,500,000	1,500,000
2000 and 2001 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for issuance (in shares) | shares	4,000,000				4,000,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for issuance (in shares) | shares	3,000,000				3,000,000
Shares available for purchase (in shares) | shares	2,100,000				2,100,000
Shares issued (in shares) | shares					12,494	12,040	8,950
ESPP proceeds received					$ 500	$ 400	$ 200