Schedule 1 - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International NV - Additional information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Restricted net assets of subsidiary of the reporting entity	$ 247.4	$ 186.0
Orthofix Inc [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Percent of restricted net assets of a Subsidiary to consolidated net assets of the company where condensed parent company financial statement are required	25.00%
Restricted net assets of subsidiary of the reporting entity	247.4	186.0
Cash dividends received from consolidated subsidiaries	$ 0	$ 5.9	$ 21.6

This element represents disclosure of the aggregate cash dividends paid to the entity by consolidated subsidiaries.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e24072-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 235

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-06)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6882215&loc=d3e537971-122884

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 06

-Article 9

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph b

-Article 12

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration