Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Business And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Employees dedication percentage for dedicated project personnel expenses		100.00%
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.

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