Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,031.5	$ 965.0	$ 3,284.5	$ 3,085.5
Cost of products sold	251.9	219.1	818.8	738.1
Gross Profit	779.6	745.9	2,465.7	2,347.4
Research and development	61.0	57.3	173.6	162.0
Selling, general and administrative	444.0	412.0	1,372.2	1,297.5
Certain claims (Note 14)			50.0	75.0
Special items (Note 2)	8.0	5.0	47.0	19.1
Operating expenses	513.0	474.3	1,642.8	1,553.6
Operating Profit	266.6	271.6	822.9	793.8
Interest expense, net	11.7	14.2	32.5	43.1
Earnings before income taxes	254.9	257.4	790.4	750.7
Provision for income taxes	63.7	66.3	186.5	188.7
Net earnings	191.2	191.1	603.9	562.0
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.3)		(0.3)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 191.5	$ 191.1	$ 604.2	$ 562.0
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 1.02	$ 0.96	$ 3.17	$ 2.79
Diluted	$ 1.01	$ 0.96	$ 3.15	$ 2.78
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	187.7	198.7	190.6	201.2
Diluted	188.8	199.7	191.8	202.3