CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,106.0	$ 1,074.3	$ 3,450.4	$ 3,382.7
Cost of products sold	298.3	328.8	936.9	945.3
Gross Profit	807.7	745.5	2,513.5	2,437.4
Research and development	46.1	49.4	141.7	157.8
Selling, general and administrative	443.5	438.0	1,363.6	1,356.8
Certain claims (Note 14)			21.8	47.0
Special items (Note 2)	66.9	46.4	177.5	155.5
Operating expenses	556.5	533.8	1,704.6	1,717.1
Operating Profit	251.2	211.7	808.9	720.3
Other expense	(10.5)		(20.5)
Interest income	3.0	3.8	8.4	11.4
Interest expense	(16.3)	(17.1)	(47.1)	(53.6)
Earnings before income taxes	227.4	198.4	749.7	678.1
Provision for income taxes	62.1	44.3	187.2	154.3
Net earnings	165.3	154.1	562.5	523.8
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.2)	(0.3)	(1.0)	(1.3)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 165.5	$ 154.4	$ 563.5	$ 525.1
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 0.98	$ 0.91	$ 3.34	$ 3.10
Diluted	$ 0.96	$ 0.90	$ 3.29	$ 3.07
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	169.0	170.0	168.8	169.2
Diluted	171.7	172.2	171.5	171.2
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.22	$ 0.20	$ 0.66	$ 0.60