Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Inventory	$ 4,096	$ 2,420
Net operating losses	7,358	11,091
Capitalized research and development	7,214	8,557
Deferred compensation	2,085	1,749
Accounts receivable	2,296	1,855
Compensation and benefits	5,434	4,138
Accrued pension	3,205	2,695
Research and development credit	8,585	8,957
Other	2,235	9,342
Less: valuation allowances	(1,159)	(570)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	41,349	50,234
Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Goodwill and intangible assets	100,108	102,099
Depreciation	1,345	3,333
State taxes	12,212	11,709
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings	3,583	6,000
Contingent interest	0	40
Deferred tax liabilities	117,248	123,181
Net liability	$ (75,899)	$ (72,947)

Deferred Tax Assets, Capitalized Research and Development

No definition available.

Name:	cnmd_DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalizedResearchAndDevelopment
Namespace Prefix:	cnmd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions arising from estimated losses reflected in the sales returns, rebates and allowances and allowance for doubtful accounts, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when actual return occurs, rebates occur, allowances are granted and bad debts are known, and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods to enable the deduction to be taken.

+ References

No definition available.