Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Earnings	$ 760.0	$ 596.9	$ 717.4
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments	4.6	(38.6)	114.0
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), net of tax effects of $4.3 in 2011, $10.1 in 2010 and $8.9 in 2009	(30.6)	21.6	(28.9)
Reclassification adjustments on cash flow hedges, net of tax effects of $(16.7) in 2011, $(4.3) in 2010 and $(0.1) in 2009	24.5	(11.6)	(18.1)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of tax effects of $0.0 in 2011, $0.3 in 2010 and $0.1 in 2009	0.2	(0.8)	(0.3)
Reclassification adjustments on securities, net of tax effects of $(1.2) in 2010		2.2
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, net of tax effects of $23.0 in 2011, $4.4 in 2010 and $(1.4) in 2009	(48.3)	(10.4)	51.9
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(49.6)	(37.6)	118.6
Comprehensive Income	710.4	559.3	836.0
Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(0.9)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 711.3	$ 559.3	$ 836.0