Schedule 1-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V. (Details 3) (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
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
Net income	$ 12,392	$ 12,378	$ 9,958	$ (35,801)	$ 7,964	$ 8,520	$ 10,232	$ 17,492	$ (1,073)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures									(24,965)	(25,844)	(20,915)
Net cash used in investing activities									(31,008)	(2,146)	(22,287)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares									20,113	7,854	70
Contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates									(517)		(1,143)
Repurchase of equity											(220)
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options									1,737	2,222	25
Net cash provided by financing activities									(13,664)	(40,026)	(29,955)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									19,646	233	(1,266)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year				13,561				13,328	13,561	13,328	14,594
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	33,207				13,561				33,207	13,561	13,328
Orthofix International N.V.
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
Net income									(1,073)	44,208	24,472
Equity in earnings of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates									(11,111)	(59,620)	(36,592)
Cash used in other operating activities									(1,779)	7,497	3,574
Net cash provided by operating activities									(13,963)	(7,915)	(8,546)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions and amounts received from subsidiaries									5,875	21,597	13,237
Capital expenditures										(5)	(114)
Net cash used in investing activities									5,875	21,592	13,123
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares									20,113	7,854	70
Contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates									2,789	(21,274)	(4,672)
Repurchase of equity											(220)
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options									1,737	2,222	25
Net cash provided by financing activities									24,639	(11,198)	(4,797)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									16,551	2,479	(220)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year				2,882				403	2,882	403	623
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	$ 19,433				$ 2,882				$ 19,433	$ 2,882	$ 403