Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 1,134.4	$ 1,161.5
Cost of products sold	278.7	303.7
Gross Profit	855.7	857.8
Research and development	48.4	47.4
Selling, general and administrative	425.0	444.5
Intangible asset amortization	20.4	29.2
Special items (Note 2)	87.0	36.6
Operating expenses	580.8	557.7
Operating Profit	274.9	300.1
Other expense	(22.6)	(1.7)
Interest income	2.6	2.5
Interest expense	(23.1)	(15.0)
Earnings before income taxes	231.8	285.9
Provision for income taxes	55.0	64.8
Net earnings	176.8	221.1
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(0.3)	(0.4)
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$ 177.1	$ 221.5
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 1.04	$ 1.31
Diluted	$ 1.02	$ 1.29
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	170.0	169.1
Diluted	172.9	171.8
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$ 0.22	$ 0.22