Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:		Investors:
Michael J. Lambert		Patrick F. Williams
EVP & Chief Financial Officer		Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations
NuVasive, Inc.		NuVasive, Inc.
858-909-1998		858-638-5511
investorrelations@nuvasive.com		investorrelations@nuvasive.com
		Media:
		Jason Rando
		The Ruth Group
		646-536-7025
		jrando@theruthgroup.com

NUVASIVE REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2010 FINANCIAL RESULTS

	•		Total revenue of $120.3 million, up 27% over third quarter 2009
	•		GAAP earnings of $8.5 million, or $0.21 per share; Non-GAAP earnings of $18.4 million, or $0.46 per share
	•		Non-GAAP operating margin of 16.6%, up from 15.8% for second quarter 2010

SAN DIEGO, October 28, 2010 — NuVasive, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUVA), a medical device company focused on developing products for minimally disruptive surgical treatments for the spine, announced today financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

NuVasive reported third quarter revenue of $120.3 million, a 26.7% increase over the $94.9 million for the third quarter 2009 and a 0.6% increase over the $119.6 million for the second quarter 2010.

Gross profit for the third quarter 2010 was $98.7 million and gross margin was 82.1%, compared to a gross profit of $79.0 million and a gross margin of 83.3% for the third quarter 2009. For the second quarter 2010, gross profit was $98.6 million and gross margin was 82.4%.

Total GAAP operating expenses for the third quarter 2010 were $89.1 million compared to $73.0 million in the third quarter 2009 and $90.3 million in the second quarter 2010.

On a GAAP basis, the Company reported net income of $8.5 million, or $0.21 per share, for the third quarter 2010.

On a Non-GAAP basis, the Company reported net income of $18.4 million, or $0.46 per share, for the third quarter 2010. The Non-GAAP earnings per share calculations for the third quarter exclude on a pre-tax basis (i) intellectual property litigation costs of $1.2 million; (ii) acquisition related costs of $0.6 million; (iii) stock-based compensation of $7.3 million; and (iv) amortization of intangible assets of $1.3 million.

Cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities were $216.8 million at September 30, 2010. Operating cash flow was $18.5 million for the third quarter 2010.

Alex Lukianov, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We achieved revenue growth of over 25% and excellent profit margin expansion in spite of very challenging conditions in the spine market. Although the procedural slowdown in the spine market had a greater impact on our results than we anticipated, we are optimistic that the factors pressuring volumes will be transitory in nature, and that the procedures being delayed will ultimately be performed. As we navigate through this downturn, we will continue to grow at multiples of the market by remaining laser focused on being the most creative spine technology company in the world and achieving exceptional results through speed of innovation, Absolute Responsiveness^®, and superior clinical outcomes. We have the team, the vision, and the determination to achieve our goal of $1 billion in revenue with increasing profitability.”

Updated Full Year 2010 Financial Guidance:

	•		Revenue of $470 to $475 million; down from $485 to $495 million previously
	•		GAAP EPS, net of tax and “If-converted” method, of $1.61 to $1.64; down from $1.77 to $1.87 previously
	•		Non-GAAP EPS, net of tax and “If-converted” method, of $1.42 to $1.45; down from $1.50 to $1.60 previously
	•		Non-GAAP Operating Margin of approximately 15.5%; down from approximately 17% previously

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information:

Management uses certain Non-GAAP financial measures such as Non-GAAP earnings per share, which exclude non-cash stock-based compensation, intellectual property litigation expenses, acquisition related items, and the amortization of intangible assets. Management does not consider these costs in evaluating the continuing operations of the Company. Therefore, management calculates the Non-GAAP financial measures provided in this earnings release excluding these costs and uses these Non-GAAP financial measures to enable it to analyze further, and more consistently, the period-to-period financial performance of its core business operations. Management believes that providing investors with these Non-GAAP measures gives them additional important information to enable them to assess, in the same way management assesses, the Company’s current and future continuing operations. These Non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Set forth below are reconciliations of the Non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measure.

Conference Call

NuVasive will hold a conference call today at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT to discuss the results. The dial-in numbers are 1-877-407-4018 for domestic callers and 1-201-689-8471 for international callers. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company’s corporate website at www.nuvasive.com.

After the live webcast, the call will remain available on NuVasive’s website, www.nuvasive.com, through November 27, 2010. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available until November 11, 2010. The replay dial-in numbers are 1-877-870-5176 for domestic callers and 1-858-384-5517 for international callers. Please use replay pin number 357132.

About NuVasive

NuVasive is a medical device company focused on the design, development, and marketing of products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders. The Company’s product portfolio is focused primarily on the $5.1 billion U.S. spine implant market. Additionally, the Company has expanded into the $1.7 billion global biologics market, the $1.7 billion international market, and is developing products for the emerging motion preservation market.

NuVasive’s principal product offering is based on its Maximum Access Surgery, or MAS^® platform. The MAS platform combines four categories of products that collectively minimize soft tissue disruption during spine surgery with maximum visualization and safe, easy reproducibility for the surgeon: NeuroVision^®, a proprietary software-driven nerve avoidance system; MaXcess^®, a unique split-blade retractor system; a wide variety of specialized implants; and several biologic fusion enhancers. MAS significantly reduces surgery time and returns patients to activities of daily living much faster than conventional approaches. Having redefined spine surgery with the MAS platform’s lateral approach, known as eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion, or XLIF^®, NuVasive has built an entire spine franchise. With over 65 products today spanning lumbar, thoracic and cervical applications, the Company will continue to expand and evolve its offering predicated on its R&D focus and dedication to outstanding service levels supported by a culture of Absolute Responsiveness^®.

NuVasive cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause NuVasive’s results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual growth and results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the risk that NuVasive’s revenue or earnings projections may turn out to be inaccurate because of the preliminary nature of the forecasts and the risk of further adjustment, or unanticipated difficulty in selling products or generating expected profitability; the risk that NuVasive may not be successful appealing the verdict related to the brand name NeuroVision; the uncertain process of seeking regulatory approval or clearance for NuVasive’s products or devices, including risks

that such process could be significantly delayed; the possibility that the FDA may require significant changes to NuVasive’s products or clinical studies; the risk that products may not perform as intended and may therefore not achieve commercial success; the risk that competitors may develop superior products or may have a greater market position enabling more successful commercialization; the risk that additional clinical data may call into question the benefits of NuVasive’s products to patients, hospitals and surgeons; and other risks and uncertainties more fully described in NuVasive’s press releases and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NuVasive’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at www.sec.gov. NuVasive assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.

###

NuVasive, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Revenue		$	120,262			$	94,916			$	348,933			$	263,405
Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization of purchased technology)			21,580				15,874				62,037				43,108
Gross profit			98,682				79,042				286,896				220,297
Operating expenses:
Sales, marketing and administrative			77,717				61,720				230,104				182,521
Research and development			10,085				9,874				31,989				26,638
Amortization of intangible assets			1,342				1,364				4,047				4,072
Total operating expenses			89,144				72,958				266,140				213,231
Interest and other income (expense), net:
Interest income			200				203				567				1,318
Interest expense			(1,668	)			(1,609	)			(5,005	)			(5,439	)
Other income (expense), net			(6	)			188				81				324
Total interest and other income (expense), net			(1,474	)			(1,218	)			(4,357	)			(3,797	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			8,064				4,866				16,399				3,269
Income tax (benefit) expense			(40	)			430				1,399				1,053
Consolidated net income		$	8,104			$	4,436			$	15,000			$	2,216
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		$	(438	)		$	(628	)		$	(1,353	)		$	(1,311	)
Net income attributable to NuVasive, Inc.		$	8,542			$	5,064			$	16,353			$	3,527
Net income per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.:
Basic		$	0.22			$	0.13			$	0.42			$	0.10
Diluted		$	0.21			$	0.13			$	0.40			$	0.09
Weighted average shares:
Basic			39,394				37,733				39,180				37,008
Diluted			40,396				39,216				40,389				38,384
Stock-based compensation is included in operating expenses in the following categories:		$	6,494			$	4,265			$	18,846			$	14,748
Sales, marketing and administrative			827				901				2,458				3,417
Research and development		$	7,321			$	5,166			$	21,304			$	18,165

NuVasive, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)

		September 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
		Unaudited
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	70,590			$	65,413
Short-term marketable securities			106,546				99,279
Accounts receivable, net			71,617				58,462
Inventory			98,789				90,191
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			4,520				3,757
Total current assets			352,062				317,102
Property and equipment, net			101,120				82,602
Long-term marketable securities			39,629				39,968
Intangible assets, net			101,670				103,338
Goodwill			101,938				101,938
Other assets			14,470				7,872
Total assets		$	710,889			$	652,820
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	43,798			$	33,302
Accrued payroll and related expenses			13,191				19,111
Royalties payable			2,619				2,334
Total current liabilities			59,608				54,747
Senior convertible notes			230,000				230,000
Long-term acquisition related liabilities			31,264				30,694
Other long-term liabilities			29,480				27,528
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests			12,276				13,629
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock			39				39
Additional paid-in capital			520,948				485,757
Accumulated other comprehensive income			621				126
Accumulated deficit			(173,347	)			(189,700	)
Total stockholders’ equity			348,261				296,222
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	710,889			$	652,820

NuVasive, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2010				2009
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income		$	15,000			$	2,216
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			27,404				22,005
Stock-based compensation			21,304				18,165
Lease abandonment charge reversal			—				(1,997	)
Amotization of debt issuance costs			1,120				1,065
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales return reserve, net of write offs			(1,039	)			1,175
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory			1,682				2,470
Amortization of premium/discount on marketable securities			890				62
Other non-cash adjustments			2,604				1,121
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable			(11,465	)			(329	)
Inventory			(10,043	)			(19,027	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(3,878	)			788
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			6,316				7,361
Accrued payroll and related expenses			(5,973	)			(2,209	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			43,922				32,866
Investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisitions and investments			—				(44,055	)
Purchases of property and equipment			(36,622	)			(21,250	)
Purchases of marketable securities			(150,045	)			(64,642	)
Sales of marketable securities			142,313				89,336
Other assets			(659	)			—
Net cash used in investing activities			(45,013	)			(40,611	)
Financing activities:
Issuance of common stock			12,768				9,618
Other assets			(7,722	)			—
Tax benefits related to stock based compensation awards			1,118				—
Net cash provided by financing activities			6,164				9,618
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			104				85
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			5,177				1,958
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			65,413				132,318
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	70,590			$	134,276