CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,074.3	$ 1,025.5	$ 3,382.7	$ 3,291.2
Cost of products sold	328.8	255.7	945.3	826.3
Gross Profit	745.5	769.8	2,437.4	2,464.9
Research and development	49.4	53.5	157.8	170.3
Selling, general and administrative	438.0	430.0	1,356.8	1,346.6
Certain claims			47.0
Special items (Note 2)	46.4	36.9	155.5	101.1
Operating expenses	533.8	520.4	1,717.1	1,618.0
Operating Profit	211.7	249.4	720.3	846.9
Interest income	3.8	3.8	11.4	10.7
Interest expense	(17.1)	(18.3)	(53.6)	(54.0)
Earnings before income taxes	198.4	234.9	678.1	803.6
Provision for income taxes	44.3	57.2	154.3	203.0
Net earnings	154.1	177.7	523.8	600.6
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.3)	(0.4)	(1.3)	(1.6)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 154.4	$ 178.1	$ 525.1	$ 602.2
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.91	$ 1.02	$ 3.10	$ 3.43
Diluted	$ 0.90	$ 1.02	$ 3.07	$ 3.41
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	170.0	174.1	169.2	175.6
Diluted	172.2	175.3	171.2	176.7
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.20	$ 0.18	$ 0.60	$ 0.36