Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2018 USD ($)
Retained Earnings [Member] \| Accounting Standards Update Two Thousand Eighteen Zero Two
Business And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings	$ 42.9

Amount of increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for reclassification to retained earnings of tax effect from remeasurement of deferred tax pursuant to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

No definition available.

Name:	zbh_TaxCutsAndJobsActOf2017ReclassificationFromAociToRetainedEarningsTaxEffect
Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration