Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Earnings Per Share, Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Earnings Per Share, Basic Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Noncontrolling Interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net earnings Net earnings Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Earnings Per Common Share Capital Stock and Earnings per Share [Abstract] Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Earnings before income taxes Earnings before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Interest and other income (expense), net Interest And Other Net Interest and other income (expense), net - Interest and debt related expenses associated with financing activities and/or income (expense) from other nonoperating activities. Interest and other income (expense), net Operating Profit Operating Profit Operating Income (Loss) Operating expenses Operating expenses Operating Expenses Net curtailment and settlement (Note?10) Net Curtailment And Settlement (Note 10) The net amount recognized during the period for curtailment and/or settlement gains/losses related to the Company's post-retirement benefit plans. Net curtailment and settlement (Note 12) Acquisition, integration, realignment and other (Note 2) Acquisition Integration And Other This element represents incremental expenses resulting directly from our business combinations and other items. Such costs include (gain)/loss on disposition, adjustment or impairment of acquired assets and obligations, consulting and professional fees, employee severance and retention, in-process research and development, facility and employee relocation, distributor acquisitions, certain litigation matters and sales agent and lease contract terminations. Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative Research and development Research and Development Expense (Excluding Acquired in Process Cost) Gross Profit Gross Profit Gross Profit Cost of products sold Cost of products sold Cost of Goods and Services Sold Net Sales Net Sales Sales Revenue, Net LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total Stockholders' Equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total Zimmer Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity Total Zimmer Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity Total Zimmer Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity Total Zimmer Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Treasury stock, 39.5 million shares in 2009 (30.1 million in 2008) Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained earnings Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Zimmer Holdings, Inc. Stockholders' Equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies (Note 17) Commitments and Contingencies Total Liabilities Total Liabilities Liabilities Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Income taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts Payable, Current Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Total Assets Total Assets Assets Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Total Current Assets Assets, Current, Total Assets, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets Sum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and the aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).Sum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares Common stock, issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Acquisition of noncontrolling interest Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries Repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Excess income tax benefit from stock option exercises Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Proceeds from employee stock compensation plans Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options, Total Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options Net proceeds (payments) under revolving credit facility Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt, Total Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Investments in other assets Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Acquisition of intellectual property rights Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Proceeds from sale of investments Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Additions to other property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Additions to instruments Additions To Instruments Additions To Instruments. Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Other assets and liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Accounts payable and accrued liabilites Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables, Total Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable Excess income tax benefit from stock option exercises Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Income tax benefit from stock option exercises Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised Inventory step-up Other Noncash Expense Share-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Gain on sale of investments Gain (Loss) on Sale of Equity Investments Net curtailment and settlement Net Curtailment Settlement Gains The net amount recognized during the period for curtailment and/or settlement gains/losses related to the Company's post-retirement benefit plans. Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Document And Company Information [Abstract] Document and Company Information [Abstract] Document And Company Information. Document And Company Information [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies. Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Business Combination Acquisitions Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block] Other Current and Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract] Other Current and Long-term Liabilities [Abstract] Other Current and Long-term Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Retirement Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Capital Stock and Earnings per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Other Comprehensive Income/loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Stock compensation plans, including tax benefits, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation Stock compensation plans, including tax benefits, value Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation Share repurchases, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Share repurchases, value Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Common Shares Common Shares Paid-in Capital Paid-in Capital Treasury Shares Treasury Shares Retained Earnings Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling Interest Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Statements of Earnings [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Net Curtailment And Settlement Balance Sheets [Abstract] Inventory, Net Statements of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Shares, Issued Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Common stock, $0.01 par value, one billion shares authorized, 254.1 million (253.7 million in 2008) issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities: Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities: Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities: Segment Data Inventories, net Inventory, Net, Total Net Earnings Beginning Balance, Shares Ending Balance, Shares Certain claims (Note 17) Certain claims The provision for estimated claims from Durom Cup patients undergoing revision surgeries within specified periods. Purchase of noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests Business Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Business [Abstract] Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest Treasury stock, 49.9 million shares (30.1 million shares in 2008) Acquisition of noncontrolling interest Repurchase of common stock Investments in other assets Acquisition of intellectual property rights Additions to other property, plant and equipment Common stock, $0.01par value, one billion shares authorized, 253.9 million shares issued in 2009 (253.7 million in 2008) Adoption of FASB's uncertain tax position guidance Cumulative Effect of Initial Adoption of FIN 48 In-process research and development Research and Development in Process Deferred income tax provision Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Debt issuance costs Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Abstract. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Leases Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract] Unrealized foreign currency hedge gains/(losses), net of tax effects of $8.9 in 2009, $0.7 in 2008 and $11.5 in 2007 Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, net of tax effects of $(0.1) in 2009, $(9.2) in 2008 and $(1.3) in 2007 Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of tax effects of $0.1 in 2009, $(15.2) in 2008 and $0.9 in 2007 Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Reclassification adjustments on securities, net of tax effects of $15.0 in 2008 Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Total Other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Attributable to Zimmer Holdings, Inc. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Tax effects on unrealized gains/(losses) on securities Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax Tax effects on reclassification adjustments on securities Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Tax Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interests Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Settlement (Note 17) Loss Contingency, Loss in Period Currency translation Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Comprehensive (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other comprehensive income Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Retirement Benefit Plans [Abstract] Tax effects on unrealized foreign currency hedge gains/(losses) Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Tax effects on reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, Tax Debt [Abstract] Debt [Abstract]. Acquisitions [Abstract] Acquisitions [Abstract]. Net earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. Currency translation Currency translation Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities. Segment Data [Abstract] Segment Data. Investments in other assets Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Goodwill impairment (Note 8) Goodwill, Impairment Loss Certificates of deposit Certificates of Deposit, at Carrying Value Goodwill impairment Acquisition of noncontrolling interest Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Stockholders Equity: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Debt issuance costs Company acquisition, net of acquired cash Company acquisition, net of acquired cash Company acquisition, net of acquired cash Abbott Spine acquisition, net of acquired cash Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Long-term debt Purchases of certificates of deposit Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Proceeds from issuance of notes Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt Prior service cost and unrecognized gain/(loss) in actuarial assumptions, net of tax effects of $(1.4) in 2009, $14.1 in 2008 and (0.4) in 2007 Tax effects on prior service cost and unrecognized gain/(loss) in actuarial assumptions Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax, Total Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax