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.
858-909-3394		858-638-5511
investorrelations@nuvasive.com		investorrelations@nuvasive.com
		Media:
		Jason Rando
		The Ruth Group
		646-536-7025
		jrando@theruthgroup.com

NUVASIVE REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2010
FINANCIAL RESULTS

•

Full year 2010 total revenue of $478.2 million; up 29.1% from the full year 2009

•

Fourth quarter 2010 total revenue of $129.3 million; up 20.9% from fourth quarter 2009 and up 7.5% from third quarter 2010

•

GAAP earnings of $61.9 million, or $1.39 per share, for the fourth quarter 2010 and $78.3 million, or $1.85 per share, for the full year 2010

•

Non-GAAP earnings of $19.3 million, or $0.46 per share, for the fourth quarter 2010 and $63.0 million, or $1.52 per share, for the full year 2010

•

Operating cash flow of $65.8 million for the full year 2010; up from $46.4 million for the full year 2009

SAN DIEGO, February 23, 2011 - NuVasive, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUVA) a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedures for the spine, announced today financial results for the quarter and for the full year ended December 31, 2010.

NuVasive reported fourth quarter 2010 revenue of $129.3 million, a 20.9% increase over the $106.9 million for the fourth quarter 2009 and a 7.5% increase over the $120.3 million for the third quarter 2010. Full year 2010 revenue was $478.2 million, a 29.1% increase over the $370.3 million reported for the full year 2009.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter 2010 was $106.2 million and gross margin was 82.1%, compared to a gross profit of $88.9 million and a gross margin of 83.2% for the fourth quarter 2009. For the third quarter 2010, gross profit was $98.7 million and gross margin was 82.1%. Gross profit for the full year 2010 was $393.1 million and gross margin was 82.2%, compared to a gross profit of $309.2 million and gross margin of 83.5% for the full year 2009.

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter 2010 were $94.9 million compared to $84.7 million in the fourth quarter 2009 and $89.1 million in the third quarter 2010. Full year 2010 operating expenses were $361.0 million compared to $297.9 million reported for the full year 2009. The higher operating expenses in 2010 resulted primarily from additional costs associated with higher revenue, infrastructure expansion, and research and development.

On a GAAP basis, the Company reported net income of $61.9 million, or $1.39 per share, for the fourth quarter 2010, and net income of $78.3 million, or $1.85 per share for the full year 2010.

On a Non-GAAP basis, the Company reported net income of $19.3 million, or $0.46 per share, for the fourth quarter 2010, and net income of $63.0 million, or $1.52 per share, for the full year 2010. The Non-GAAP earnings per share calculations for the fourth quarter and full year exclude, respectively, (i)  non-cash stock-based compensation of $6.9 million and $28.2 million; (ii) certain intellectual property litigation expenses of $1.5 million and $5.1 million; (iii) amortization of intangible assets of $1.4 million and $5.4 million; (iv) acquisition related items of $1.4 million and $3.0 million; and (v) the reversal of an income tax valuation allowance of $53.4 million and $53.4 million.

Cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities were $229.7 million at December 31, 2010.

Alex Lukianov, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We achieved revenue growth of nearly 30%, a record non-GAAP operating margin well over 15% and more than $65 million in operating cash flow in 2010, despite challenging spine market dynamics. We made great strides in building the body of scientific evidence in support of our unique XLIF technology to demonstrate superior clinical outcomes together with long term follow up. As our focus shifts from achieving $500 million in revenue toward the achievement of our next milestone, the evolution of NuVasive into a $1 billion revenue company, we are laser focused on maintaining the startup mentality that is the very source of NuVasive’s success as a prolific new product innovator. With speed as our competitive edge, we will rely on creativity and resourcefulness and our culture of accountability to bring more game changing innovation to our surgeon customers and deliver exceptional results to our share holders.”

2011 Full Year Financial Guidance

	•		Revenue of $525 million to $535 million
	•		GAAP EPS of $0.39 to $0.42
	•		Non-GAAP EPS of $1.07 to $1.10
	•		Non-GAAP Operating Margin of ~16.5%

* Acquisition related items include ~ 0.5% of revenue for expenses associated with prior M&A activity and as incurred

* Effective Tax Rate of ~49% applied to GAAP earnings and ~40% applied to Non-GAAP adjustments

** GAAP earnings per share calculated on consolidated net income

*** 2010 weighted average shares shown as pre “if-converted” method

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, certain intellectual property litigation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition related items, and the reversal of an income tax valuation allowance. 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.

* “if-converted” method assumes add back of $1.5M net of tax ($1.7M pretax) of interest and debt issuance costs to GAAP net income

* “if-converted” method assumes add back of $6.0M net of tax ($6.7M pretax) of interest and debt issuance costs to GAAP net income

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 1-877-407-9039 for domestic callers and 1-201-689-8470 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 March 25, 2011. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available until March 9, 2011. 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 365288.

About NuVasive
NuVasive is a medical device company focused on developing minimally disruptive surgical products and procedures for the spine. The Company is the 5^th largest player in the $7.7 billion global spine 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: 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 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.

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

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Revenue		$	129,304			$	106,935			$	478,237			$	370,340
Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization of purchased technology)			23,102				18,002				85,139				61,110
Gross profit			106,202				88,933				393,098				309,230
Operating expenses:
Sales, marketing and administrative			82,018				72,476				312,122				254,997
Research and development			11,490				10,943				43,479				37,581
Amortization of intangible assets			1,360				1,263				5,407				5,335
Total operating expenses			94,868				84,682				361,008				297,913
Interest and other (expense) income, net:
Interest income			193				189				760				1,507
Interest expense			(1,667	)			(1,676	)			(6,672	)			(7,116	)
Other (expense) income, net			(345	)			136				(264	)			461
Total interest and other (expense) income, net			(1,819	)			(1,351	)			(6,176	)			(5,148	)
Income before income taxes			9,515				2,900				25,914				6,169
Income tax (benefit) expense			(52,018	)			679				(50,619	)			1,732
Consolidated net income		$	61,533			$	2,221			$	76,533			$	4,437
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		$	(399	)		$	(60	)		$	(1,752	)		$	(1,371	)
Net income attributable to NuVasive, Inc.		$	61,932			$	2,281			$	78,285			$	5,808
Net income per share attributable to NuVasive, Inc.:
Basic		$	1.57			$	0.06			$	1.99			$	0.16
Diluted		$	1.39			$	0.06			$	1.85			$	0.15
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			39,486				38,645				39,251				37,426
Diluted			45,488				39,813				45,514				38,751
Stock-based compensation is included in operating expenses in the following categories:
Sales, marketing and administrative		$	6,099			$	4,800			$	24,945			$	19,549
Research and development			822				828				3,280				4,244
		$	6,921			$	5,628			$	28,225			$	23,793

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

		December 31,
		2010				2009
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	92,597			$	65,413
Short-term marketable securities			86,458				99,279
Accounts receivable, net			76,632				58,462
Inventory			107,577				90,191
Deferred tax assets			4,425				-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			4,082				3,757
Total current assets			371,771				317,102
Property and equipment, net			102,165				82,602
Long-term marketable securities			50,635				39,968
Intangible assets, net			107,121				103,338
Goodwill			103,070				101,938
Deferred tax assets, non-current			52,033				612
Other assets			15,234				7,260
Total assets		$	802,029			$	652,820
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	58,995			$	35,636
Accrued payroll and related expenses			17,266				19,111
Acquisition-related liabilities			32,715				-
Total current liabilities			108,976				54,747
Senior convertible notes			230,000				230,000
Long-term acquisition related liabilities			326				30,694
Deferred tax liabilities			3,685				16,756
Other long-term liabilities			12,810				10,772
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interests			11,877				13,629
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock			40				39
Additional paid-in capital			545,114				485,757
Accumulated other comprehensive income			616				126
Accumulated deficit			(111,415	)			(189,700	)
Total stockholders’ equity			434,355				296,222
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	802,029			$	652,820

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

		Year Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2008
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)		$	76,533			$	4,437			$	(27,528	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			36,737				29,841				23,105
Deferred income tax benefit			(53,664	)			-				-
In-process research and development			-				-				20,876
Stock-based compensation			28,225				23,793				20,947
Leasehold abandonment (reversal)			-				(1,997	)			4,403
Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales return reserve, net of write-offs			(995	)			2,211				1,026
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory			1,607				2,297				(836	)
Other non-cash adjustments			6,299				3,359				179
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable			(16,411	)			(8,582	)			(25,152	)
Inventory			(18,664	)			(23,133	)			(32,451	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(3,559	)			760				274
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			11,596				5,932				5,098
Accrued payroll and related expenses			(1,877	)			7,501				5,057
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			65,827				46,419				(5,002	)
Investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisitions and investments			(973	)			(46,055	)			(41,256	)
Purchases of property and equipment			(45,846	)			(32,878	)			(39,795	)
Purchases of marketable securities			(203,415	)			(157,278	)			(159,186	)
Sales of marketable securities			204,439				108,308				95,926
Other assets			-				-				(304	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(45,795	)			(127,903	)			(144,615	)
Financing activities:
Payments of long-term liabilities			-				-				(300	)
Issuance of convertible debt, net of costs			-				-				222,442
Purchase of convertible note hedges			-				-				(45,758	)
Sale of warrants			-				-				31,786
Tax benefits related to stock-based compensation awards			186				1,902				-
Issuance of common stock			14,831				12,556				11,850
Other assets			(7,935	)			-				-
Net cash provided by financing activities			7,082				14,458				220,020
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash			70				121				-
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			27,184				(66,905	)			70,403
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			65,413				132,318				61,915
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	92,597			$	65,413			$	132,318