CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,169.5	$ 1,125.0	$ 2,308.4	$ 2,265.7
Cost of products sold	323.6	281.9	616.5	570.6
Gross Profit	845.9	843.1	1,691.9	1,695.1
Research and development	54.9	57.2	108.4	116.8
Selling, general and administrative	458.0	453.3	918.8	916.6
Certain claims	47.0		47.0
Special items (Note 2)	75.6	30.7	109.1	64.2
Operating expenses	635.5	541.2	1,183.3	1,097.6
Operating Profit	210.4	301.9	508.6	597.5
Interest income	3.9	3.8	7.6	6.9
Interest expense	(18.3)	(18.1)	(36.5)	(35.7)
Earnings before income taxes	196.0	287.6	479.7	568.7
Provision for income taxes	44.3	73.6	110.0	145.8
Net earnings	151.7	214.0	369.7	422.9
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.4)	(0.5)	(1.0)	(1.2)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 152.1	$ 214.5	$ 370.7	$ 424.1
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.90	$ 1.22	$ 2.20	$ 2.41
Diluted	$ 0.89	$ 1.22	$ 2.17	$ 2.39
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	168.8	175.2	168.8	176.3
Diluted	170.7	176.2	170.7	177.3
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.40	$ 0.18