SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 segment	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION
Number of reportable segments			3
Net sales
Customers	$ 243,503	$ 235,261	$ 713,349	$ 670,451
Depreciation and amortization	8,709	7,864	25,432	22,852
Income (loss) from operations	35,373	31,242	91,055	82,509
Interest (income) expense	7,751	7,796	23,212	23,966
Income (loss) before taxes	27,622	23,446	67,843	58,543
Capital expenditures			24,877	21,754
Total assets	1,187,253		1,187,253		1,128,500
Patient-Care Services
Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments
Minimum age for health insurance coverage under Medicare health insurance program	65		65
Medicare reimbursement for O&P products and services based on prices set forth in fee schedules, number of regional service areas	10		10
Minimum age to supplement Medicare benefits for financially needy persons under Medicaid health insurance program	65		65
Estimated government reimbursement as a percentage of the company's net sales			40.80%	40.40%
Net sales
Customers	200,294	192,557	584,456	546,084
Depreciation and amortization	3,485	3,139	10,282	9,129
Income (loss) from operations	37,598	35,437	102,921	96,815
Interest (income) expense	7,519	7,113	22,654	21,322
Income (loss) before taxes	30,079	28,324	80,267	75,493
Capital expenditures			9,181	9,299
Total assets	1,382,551		1,382,551		1,279,481
Distribution
Net sales
Customers	27,373	26,448	81,026	75,487
Intersegments	52,770	50,063	153,486	140,630
Depreciation and amortization	321	307	970	889
Income (loss) from operations	9,182	7,398	27,197	21,763
Interest (income) expense	814	835	2,475	2,532
Income (loss) before taxes	8,368	6,563	24,722	19,231
Capital expenditures			319	1,057
Total assets	198,587		198,587		170,077
Therapeutic Solutions
Net sales
Customers	15,664	16,085	47,354	48,408
Intersegments	1,171	857	3,014	2,589
Depreciation and amortization	2,852	2,673	8,237	7,750
Income (loss) from operations	869	1,350	2,077	2,912
Interest (income) expense	1,422	1,441	4,296	4,321
Income (loss) before taxes	(553)	(91)	(2,219)	(1,409)
Capital expenditures			1,914	3,372
Total assets	135,017		135,017		135,781
Other
Net sales
Customers	172	171	513	472
Intersegments		99		99
Depreciation and amortization	2,051	1,745	5,943	5,084
Income (loss) from operations	(11,463)	(12,867)	(39,881)	(38,964)
Interest (income) expense	(2,004)	(1,593)	(6,213)	(4,209)
Income (loss) before taxes	(9,459)	(11,274)	(33,668)	(34,755)
Capital expenditures			13,463	8,026
Consolidated Adjustments
Net sales
Intersegments	(53,941)	(51,019)	(156,500)	(143,318)
Income (loss) from operations	(813)	(76)	(1,259)	(17)
Income (loss) before taxes	(813)	(76)	(1,259)	(17)
Total assets	$ (528,901)		$ (528,901)		$ (456,839)