Segment Information - Summary of Net Sales and Segment Operating Profit (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 1,134.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 1,161.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Operating profit	274.9us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	300.1us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Intangible asset amortization	(20.4)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	(29.2)us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Special items	(87.0)zmh_SpecialItems	(36.6)zmh_SpecialItems
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Inventory step-up and certain other inventory and manufacturing related charges	(3.9)	(11.7)
Intangible asset amortization	(20.4)	(29.2)
Special items	(87.0)	(36.6)
Global operations and corporate functions	(140.5)	(136.0)
Americas Segment [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	645.2	638.7
Operating profit	320.3	312.1
Europe Segment [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	298.9	326.9
Operating profit	110.4	109.9
Asia Pacific Segment [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	190.3	195.9
Operating profit	$ 96.0	$ 91.6

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue during the period from the sale of goods in the normal course of business, after deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

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- Definition

Expenses Related To Global Operations And Corporate Functions

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- Definition

The incremental cost resulting from stepping up an acquired business' inventory to fair value as well as other certain charges related to inventory and manufacturing.

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- Definition

Special items expenses related to quality and operational excellence initiatives, acquisition and integration costs of acquired businesses, and other certain items.

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