Schedule 1 - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Orthofix International NV - Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net (loss) income	$ (8,537)	$ (28,812)	$ 42,852
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(18,069)	(24,787)	(27,994)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	10,462	3,450	25,586
Excess tax benefit on exercise of stock options	206	82	1,020
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	7,891	(1,843)	(1,976)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	28,924	30,767	32,743
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	36,815	28,924	30,767
Orthofix International N V [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net (loss) income	(8,537)	(28,812)	42,852
Equity in (loss) earnings of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	(12,540)	12,494	(50,331)
Cash (used in) provided by other operating activities	(5,167)	468	(6,811)
Net cash used in operating activities	(26,244)	(15,850)	(14,290)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Distributions and amounts received from subsidiaries	20,723	53,389	12,564
Net cash provided by investing activities	20,723	53,389	12,564
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	10,462	3,450	25,586
Repurchase of treasury shares		(39,494)
Contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates	(1,411)	(7,543)	(36,921)
Excess tax benefit on exercise of stock options	206	82	1,020
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	9,257	(43,505)	(10,315)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,736	(5,966)	(12,041)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	1,426	7,392	19,433
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	$ 5,162	$ 1,426	$ 7,392