Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 4,451.8	$ 4,220.2	$ 4,095.4
Cost of products sold	1,122.0	1,012.2	990.7
Gross Profit	3,329.8	3,208.0	3,104.7
Research and development	238.6	218.5	205.7
Selling, general and administrative	1,834.1	1,759.1	1,729.0
Certain claims (Note 19)	157.8	75.0	35.0
Goodwill impairment (Note 9)		204.0	73.0
Net curtailment and settlement (Note 14)			(32.1)
Special items (Note 2)	75.2	34.7	75.3
Operating expenses	2,305.7	2,291.3	2,085.9
Operating Profit	1,024.1	916.7	1,018.8
Interest income	10.1	3.7	1.8
Interest expense	(55.3)	(60.2)	(22.4)
Earnings before income taxes	978.9	860.2	998.2
Provision for income taxes	218.9	263.3	280.8
Net earnings	760.0	596.9	717.4
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.8)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 760.8	$ 596.9	$ 717.4
Earnings Per Common Share - Basic	$ 4.05	$ 2.98	$ 3.34
Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted	$ 4.03	$ 2.97	$ 3.32
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	187.6	200.0	215.0
Diluted	188.7	201.1	215.8