CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,125.0	$ 1,137.4	$ 2,265.7	$ 2,253.0
Cost of products sold	281.9	287.9	570.6	566.9
Gross Profit	843.1	849.5	1,695.1	1,686.1
Research and development	57.2	56.9	116.8	112.5
Selling, general and administrative	453.3	470.0	916.6	928.3
Certain claims		50.0		50.0
Special items (Note 2)	30.7	13.5	64.2	39.0
Operating expenses	541.2	590.4	1,097.6	1,129.8
Operating Profit	301.9	259.1	597.5	556.3
Interest income	3.8	3.3	6.9	5.3
Interest expense	(18.1)	(13.1)	(35.7)	(26.1)
Earnings before income taxes	287.6	249.3	568.7	535.5
Provision for income taxes	73.6	45.5	145.8	122.8
Net earnings	214.0	203.8	422.9	412.7
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.5)		(1.2)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 214.5	$ 203.8	$ 424.1	$ 412.7
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 1.22	$ 1.06	$ 2.41	$ 2.15
Diluted	$ 1.22	$ 1.06	$ 2.39	$ 2.14
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	175.2	191.5	176.3	192.1
Diluted	176.2	192.7	177.3	193.3
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.18		$ 0.18