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Schedule 1- Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International N.V. - Condensed Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 28,924				$ 30,767				$ 32,743	$ 13,561
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	28,933				36,449
Total current assets	265,106us-gaap_AssetsCurrent				300,632us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
Other long term assets	7,492us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent				7,920us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
Total assets	411,975us-gaap_Assets	415,524us-gaap_Assets	446,321us-gaap_Assets	464,153us-gaap_Assets	464,546us-gaap_Assets	528,174us-gaap_Assets	520,848us-gaap_Assets	680,596us-gaap_Assets
Liabilities and shareholder's equity
Current liabilities	70,350us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent				65,333us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	1,810us-gaap_CommonStockValue				1,934us-gaap_CommonStockValue
Additional paid in capital	216,653				246,306
Accumulated earnings	73,897				102,709
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,503				5,490
Total shareholders' equity	295,863us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	306,993us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	332,146us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	360,975us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	356,439us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	332,419us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	312,921us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	298,545us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	280,304us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	411,975	415,524	446,321	464,153	464,546	528,174	520,848	680,596
Orthofix International N V [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,426				7,392				19,433	2,882
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	670				534
Total current assets	2,096				7,926
Other long term assets					15
Investments in and amounts due from subsidiaries and affiliates	308,173				357,811
Total assets	310,269				365,752
Liabilities and shareholder's equity
Current liabilities	6,295				1,202
Long-term liabilities	8,111				8,111
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	1,810				1,934
Additional paid in capital	216,653				246,306
Accumulated earnings	73,897				102,709
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,503				5,490
Total shareholders' equity	295,863				356,439
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 310,269				$ 365,752