Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 4,623.4	$ 4,471.7	$ 4,451.8
Cost of products sold	1,286.1	1,125.2	1,122.0
Gross Profit	3,337.3	3,346.5	3,329.8
Research and development	204.2	225.6	238.4
Selling, general and administrative	1,833.8	1,807.1	1,834.3
Certain claims (Note 19)	47.0	15.0	157.8
Goodwill impairment (Note 8)		96.0
Special items (Note 2)	216.7	155.4	75.2
Operating expenses	2,301.7	2,299.1	2,305.7
Operating Profit	1,035.6	1,047.4	1,024.1
Interest income	15.6	15.6	10.1
Interest expense	(70.1)	(72.9)	(55.3)
Earnings before income taxes	981.1	990.1	978.9
Provision for income taxes	221.9	237.2	218.9
Net earnings	759.2	752.9	760.0
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1.8)	(2.1)	(0.8)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 761.0	$ 755.0	$ 760.8
Earnings Per Common Share - Basic	$ 4.49	$ 4.32	$ 4.05
Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted	$ 4.43	$ 4.29	$ 4.03
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	169.6	174.9	187.6
Diluted	171.8	176.0	188.7
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.80	$ 0.54	$ 0.18