Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,137.4	$ 1,057.7	$ 2,253.0	$ 2,120.5
Cost of products sold	287.9	250.6	566.9	519.0
Gross Profit	849.5	807.1	1,686.1	1,601.5
Research and development	57.0	54.2	112.6	104.7
Selling, general and administrative	469.9	438.3	928.2	885.5
Certain claims (Note 15)	50.0	75.0	50.0	75.0
Special items (Note 2)	13.5	11.5	39.0	14.1
Operating expenses	590.4	579.0	1,129.8	1,079.3
Operating Profit	259.1	228.1	556.3	522.2
Interest expense, net	9.8	14.3	20.8	28.9
Earnings before income taxes	249.3	213.8	535.5	493.3
Provision for income taxes	45.5	48.3	122.8	122.4
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 203.8	$ 165.5	$ 412.7	$ 370.9
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 1.06	$ 0.82	$ 2.15	$ 1.83
Diluted	$ 1.06	$ 0.82	$ 2.14	$ 1.82
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	191.5	201.9	192.1	202.4
Diluted	192.7	203.0	193.3	203.6