CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 154.1	$ 177.7	$ 523.8	$ 600.6
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments	45.4	67.2	(51.4)	20.1
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), net of tax	(18.3)	(35.9)	24.5	(11.7)
Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, net of tax	(3.5)	0.1	(2.0)	2.3
Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of tax	0.9	0.3	(0.1)	0.6
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, net of tax	3.4	4.0	9.9	28.5
Total Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss)	27.9	35.7	(19.1)	39.8
Comprehensive Income	182.0	213.4	504.7	640.4
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(0.4)	(0.3)	(1.4)	(1.7)
Comprehensive Income attributable to Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 182.4	$ 213.7	$ 506.1	$ 642.1