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, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		$ 2,944.8	$ 2,903.0
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		(373.0)	(277.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		2,571.8	2,626.0
U.S. Spine reporting unit impairment	(96.0)		(96.0)
Acquisitions		35.0	25.9
Currency translation		4.4	15.9
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,944.8	2,984.2	2,944.8
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	(373.0)	(373.0)	(373.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	2,571.8	2,611.2	2,571.8
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		1,623.9	1,595.3
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		(373.0)	(277.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		1,250.9	1,318.3
Acquisitions		11.0	25.9
Currency translation		(5.0)	2.7
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,623.9	1,629.9	1,623.9
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	(373.0)	(373.0)	(373.0)
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	1,250.9	1,256.9	1,250.9
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		1,128.6	1,111.8
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		1,128.6	1,111.8
Acquisitions		24.0
Currency translation		34.5	16.8
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,128.6	1,187.1	1,128.6
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	1,128.6	1,187.1	1,128.6
Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance		192.3	195.9
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance		192.3	195.9
Currency translation		(25.1)	(3.6)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	192.3	167.2	192.3
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance
Goodwill, net of accumulated impairment losses, Ending Balance	$ 192.3	$ 167.2	$ 192.3