- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Certain claims.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_CertainClaims
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Compensatory damages awarded.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_CompensatoryDamagesAwarded
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Judgment against company and third party.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_JudgmentAgainstCompanyAndThirdParty
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of fault apportioned to company.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_PercentageOfFaultApportionedToCompany
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of fault apportioned to plaintiffs.

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Name:	zmh_PercentageOfFaultApportionedToPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of fault apportioned to unrelated third party.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_PercentageOfFaultApportionedToUnrelatedThirdParty
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Post suspension claims recorded in selling general and administrative expenses.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_PostSuspensionClaimsRecordedInSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Pre suspension claims recorded in selling general and administrative expenses.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_PreSuspensionClaimsRecordedInSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Provision for all surgeries occurring before July 22, 2008.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Remaining liability for durom claims relating to original surgeries performed before July 22, 2008 Current.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_RemainingLiabilityForClaimsRelatingToOriginalSurgeriesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Remaining liability for durom claims relating to original surgeries performed before July 22, 2008 Non current.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_RemainingLiabilityForClaimsRelatingToOriginalSurgeriesNonCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Remaining liability for claims relating to original surgeries performed.

+ Details

Name:	zmh_RemainingLiabilityForClaimsRelatingToOriginalSurgeriesPerformed
Namespace Prefix:	zmh
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		45 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 10, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies (Numeric)
Certain claims (Note 14)	$ 50.0	$ 75.0		$ 50.0	$ 75.0	$ 229.0
Loss contingency provision			10.9			42.7
Provision for all surgeries occurring before July 22, 2008						271.7
Post suspension claims recorded in selling general and administrative expenses						10.2
Estimated liability outstanding				142.6		142.6
Estimated liability classified as short-term				42.5		42.5
Estimated liability classified as long-term				100.1		100.1
Compensatory damages awarded				27.6
Percentage of fault apportioned to plaintiffs				30.00%
Percentage of fault apportioned to company				34.00%
Percentage of fault apportioned to unrelated third party				36.00%
Judgment against company and PCI							$ 20.3