GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Changes in carrying amount of goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		$ 2,903.0	$ 2,857.8
U.S. Spine reporting unit impairment	(96.0)	(96.0)		(204.0)
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		(277.0)	(277.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		2,626.0	2,580.8
Acquisitions		25.9	33.3
Currency translation		15.9	11.9
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,944.8	2,944.8	2,903.0	2,857.8
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	(373.0)	(373.0)	(277.0)	(277.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	2,571.8	2,571.8	2,626.0	2,580.8
U.S. Spine Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
U.S. Spine reporting unit impairment		(96.0)
Americas [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		1,595.3	1,562.8
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		(277.0)	(277.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		1,318.3	1,285.8
Acquisitions		25.9	33.3
Currency translation		2.7	(0.8)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,623.9	1,623.9	1,595.3
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	(373.0)	(373.0)	(277.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	1,250.9	1,250.9	1,318.3
Americas [Member] | U.S. Spine Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
U.S. Spine reporting unit impairment		(96.0)
Europe [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		1,111.8	1,107.1
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		1,111.8	1,107.1
Currency translation		16.8	4.7
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,128.6	1,128.6	1,111.8
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	1,128.6	1,128.6	1,111.8
Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		195.9	187.9
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		195.9	187.9
Currency translation		(3.6)	8.0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	192.3	192.3	195.9
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	$ 192.3	$ 192.3	$ 195.9