Segment Reporting - Net Sales by Product Category (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2014 reportable_segment	Nov. 30, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments			1
Net sales by product:
Net sales	$ 843.6	$ 825.7	$ 1,618.4	$ 1,556.4
Knees [Member]
Net sales by product:
Net sales	264.3	264.0	499.0	489.1
Hips [Member]
Net sales by product:
Net sales	168.0	167.7	323.3	317.4
S.E.T. [Member]
Net sales by product:
Net sales	160.6	160.3	315.1	309.8
Spine & Bone Healing [Member]
Net sales by product:
Net sales	124.5	104.9	247.3	206.5
Dental [Member]
Net sales by product:
Net sales	67.6	70.5	121.3	124.4
Cement, Biologics & Other [Member]
Net sales by product:
Net sales	$ 58.6	$ 58.3	$ 112.4	$ 109.2