CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 208.9	$ 208.9
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments	28.1	130.7
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), net of tax	4.1	(47.3)
Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, net of tax	0.9	4.4
Unrealized gains on securities, net of tax	0.2	0.2
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, net of tax	22.9	0.7
Total Other Comprehensive Gain	56.2	88.7
Comprehensive Income	265.1	297.6
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(0.7)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 265.8	$ 297.6