Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of debt not otherwise defined (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the portion of long-term, uncollateralized debt obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnsecuredLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Change in fair value of debt hedged by interest rate swaps.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Debt - Summary of Debt Instruments (Detail) $ in Millions, ¥ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	$ 8,950.0
Other long-term debt	5.3		$ 4.9
Debt discount	(22.3)		(1.4)
Adjustment related to interest rate swaps	34.0		24.0
Total long-term debt	11,689.6		1,425.5
U.S. Term Loan [Member]
Current portion of long-term debt
U.S. Term Loan	225.0
Long-term debt
Term loan	2,625.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 1.450% [Member] \| Due in 2017 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	500.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.0% [Member] \| Due in 2018 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	1,150.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 4.625% [Member] \| Due in 2019 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	500.0		500.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 2.70% [Member] \| Due in 2020 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	1,500.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.375% [Member] \| Due in 2021 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	300.0		300.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.150% [Member] \| Due in 2022 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	750.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 3.550% [Member] \| Due in 2025 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	2,000.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 4.250% [Member] \| Due in 2035 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	500.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 5.750% [Member] \| Due in 2039 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	500.0		500.0
Senior Notes [Member] \| 4.450% [Member] \| Due in 2045 [Member]
Long-term debt
Senior Notes due	1,250.0
Japan Term Loan [Member]
Long-term debt
Term loan	$ 97.6	¥ 11.7	$ 98.0