Consolidated Statement of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net Sales	$ 4,471.7	$ 4,451.8	$ 4,220.2
Cost of products sold	1,125.2	1,122.0	1,012.2
Gross Profit	3,346.5	3,329.8	3,208.0
Research and development	225.6	238.4	218.5
Selling, general and administrative	1,807.1	1,834.3	1,759.1
Certain claims (Note 19)	15.0	157.8	75.0
Goodwill impairment (Note 8)	96.0		204.0
Special items (Note 2)	155.4	75.2	34.7
Operating expenses	2,299.1	2,305.7	2,291.3
Operating Profit	1,047.4	1,024.1	916.7
Interest income	15.6	10.1	3.7
Interest expense	(72.9)	(55.3)	(60.2)
Earnings before income taxes	990.1	978.9	860.2
Provision for income taxes	237.2	218.9	263.3
Net earnings	752.9	760.0	596.9
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2.1)	(0.8)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 755.0	$ 760.8	$ 596.9
Earnings Per Common Share-Basic	$ 4.32	$ 4.05	$ 2.98
Earnings Per Common Share-Diluted	$ 4.29	$ 4.03	$ 2.97
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	174.9	187.6	200.0
Diluted	176.0	188.7	201.1
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.54	$ 0.18