Acquisition, Quality Remediation and Other - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Employees dedication percentage for dedicated project personnel expenses	100.00%

Employees dedication percentage for dedicated project personnel expenses.

No definition available.

Name:	zbh_EmployeesDedicationPercentageForDedicatedProjectPersonnelExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	zbh_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration