CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,140.7	$ 1,115.6
Cost of products sold	288.7	279.0
Gross Profit	852.0	836.6
Research and development	59.6	55.6
Selling, general and administrative	463.3	458.3
Special items (Note 2)	33.5	25.5
Operating expenses	556.4	539.4
Operating Profit	295.6	297.2
Interest income	3.1	2.0
Interest expense	(17.6)	(13.0)
Earnings before income taxes	281.1	286.2
Provision for income taxes	72.2	77.3
Net earnings	208.9	208.9
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.7)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 209.6	$ 208.9
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 1.18	$ 1.08
Diluted	$ 1.17	$ 1.08
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	177.4	192.6
Diluted	178.5	193.8