Schedule 1 - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International NV - Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 42,838	$ (18,110)	$ 44,296
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(27,994)	(24,965)	(25,844)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	25,586	20,113	7,854
Contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates		(517)
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options	1,020	1,737	2,417
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	33,207	13,561	13,328
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	31,055	33,207	13,561
Orthofix International N V [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	42,838	(18,110)	44,296
Equity in earnings of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	(50,317)	6,296	(59,517)
Cash used in other operating activities	(6,811)	3,429	7,111
Net cash used in operating activities	(14,290)	(8,385)	(8,110)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions and amounts received from subsidiaries	12,564	5,875	21,597
Capital expenditures			(5)
Net cash provided by investing activities	12,564	5,875	21,592
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	25,586	20,113	7,854
Contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates	(36,921)	(2,789)	(21,274)
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options	1,020	1,737	2,417
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(10,315)	19,061	(11,003)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(12,041)	16,551	2,479
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	19,433	2,882	403
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	$ 7,392	$ 19,433	$ 2,882