Schedule 1-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V. (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
(Expenses) income:
General and administrative									$ (86,468)	$ (88,628)	$ (88,866)
Income before income taxes									20,703	72,398	40,021
Income tax benefit									(21,776)	(28,190)	(15,549)
Net income (loss)	12,392	12,378	9,958	(35,801)	7,964	8,520	10,232	17,492	(1,073)
Orthofix International N.V.
(Expenses) income:
General and administrative									(11,503)	(13,146)	(10,444)
Equity in earnings of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates									11,111	59,620	36,592
Other, net									7	(390)	301
Income before income taxes									(385)	46,084	26,449
Income tax benefit									(688)	(1,876)	(1,977)
Net income (loss)									$ (1,073)	$ 44,208	$ 24,472