Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) 10-Q 6 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 28, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Trading Symbol	'ZMH	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ZIMMER HOLDINGS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001136869	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	167,819,367

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Net Sales	$1,161.50	$1,138.90
Cost of products sold	305.4	292.9
Gross Profit	856.1	846
Research and development	47.5	53.5
Selling, general and administrative	464.3	460.8
Special items (Note 2)	45.9	33.5
Operating expenses	557.7	547.8
Operating Profit	298.4	298.2
Interest income	2.5	3.7
Interest expense	-15	-18.2
Earnings before income taxes	285.9	283.7
Provision for income taxes	64.8	65.7
Net earnings	221.1	218
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-0.4	-0.6
Net Earnings of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$221.50	$218.60
Earnings Per Common Share	'	'
Basic	$1.31	$1.30
Diluted	$1.29	$1.28
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	'	'
Basic	169.1	168.7
Diluted	171.8	170.7
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	$0.22	$0.20

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net earnings	$221.10	$218
Other Comprehensive Income:	'	'
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments	15.9	-65
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), net of tax	-3.1	29.2
Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, net of tax	-2	3.9
Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of tax	0.1	-0.1
Reclassification adjustments on securities, net of tax	-0.4	'
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, net of tax	-1.9	4.2
Total Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss)	8.6	-27.8
Comprehensive Income	229.7	190.2
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	-0.4	-0.6
Comprehensive Income attributable to Zimmer Holdings, Inc.	$230.10	$190.80

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$882.70	$1,080.60
Short-term investments	705.4	727
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	939.1	936.6
Inventories	1,125.90	1,074.50
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	96.3	107.1
Deferred income taxes	297.3	271.9
Total Current Assets	4,046.70	4,197.70
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,235.60	1,224.70
Goodwill	2,623.30	2,611.20
Intangible assets, net	671	707.7
Other assets	803.5	839.3
Total Assets	9,380.10	9,580.60
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	155.3	146.3
Income taxes	155.1	221.2
Other current liabilities	608.3	664.1
Total Current Liabilities	918.7	1,031.60
Other long-term liabilities	543.6	576.6
Long-term debt	1,680.10	1,672.30
Total Liabilities	3,142.40	3,280.50
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)	'	'
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value, one billion shares authorized, 266.4 million shares issued in 2014 (264.3 million in 2013)	2.6	2.6
Paid-in capital	4,146	4,000.60
Retained earnings	7,897.30	7,712.70
Accumulated other comprehensive income	375.7	367.1
Treasury stock, 98.7 million shares in 2014 (94.5 million shares in 2013)	-6,186.30	-5,785.70
Total Zimmer Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity	6,235.30	6,297.30
Noncontrolling interest	2.4	2.8
Total Stockholders' Equity	6,237.70	6,300.10
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$9,380.10	$9,580.60

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	266,400,000	264,300,000
Treasury stock, shares	98,700,000	94,500,000

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Net earnings	$221.10	$218
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	101	85.1
Share-based compensation	11.2	14
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises	20.2	13.6
Excess income tax benefit from stock option exercises	-5.4	-3.5
Inventory step-up	2.5	0.8
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:	'	'
Income taxes	-75.6	17.6
Receivables	5.3	-44.2
Inventories	-56.6	-59.7
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-56	-31.3
Other assets and liabilities	21.1	-29.9
Net cash provided by operating activities	188.8	180.5
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:	'	'
Additions to instruments	-49.4	-57.5
Additions to other property, plant and equipment	-31.4	-17.9
Purchases of investments	-600.7	-94.8
Sales of investments	583.1	232
Investments in other assets	'	-8.8
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-98.4	53
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:	'	'
Net payments under revolving credit facilities	0.2	-100.1
Dividends paid to stockholders	-34	-30.9
Proceeds from employee stock compensation plans	138.2	67
Excess income tax benefit from stock option exercises	5.4	3.5
Repurchase of common stock	-400.5	-392
Net cash used in financing activities	-290.7	-452.5
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	2.4	-8.3
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-197.9	-227.3
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	1,080.60	884.3
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$882.70	$657

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1	Basis of Presentation
	The financial data presented herein is unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Zimmer Holdings, Inc. The condensed consolidated financial statements for the majority of our international subsidiaries are for periods that ended on March 25, 2014 and 2013. For these international subsidiaries, the three month results included in these condensed consolidated financial statements are for the period of December 26 through March 25 or the period of January 1 to March 25.
	In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The December 31, 2013 condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Results for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results for the full year. Certain amounts in the 2013 condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation.
	The words “we,” “us,” “our” and similar words refer to Zimmer Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Zimmer Holdings refers to the parent company only.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2	Significant Accounting Policies
	Special Items — We recognize expenses resulting directly from our business combinations, employee termination benefits, certain R&D agreements, certain contract terminations, consulting and professional fees and asset impairment or loss on disposal charges connected with global restructuring, quality and operational excellence initiatives, and other items as “Special items” in our condensed consolidated statement of earnings. “Special items” included (in millions):
			Three Months
			Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Impairment/loss on disposal of assets		$	9.7	$	0.3
	Consulting and professional fees			15		26.9
	Employee severance and retention			0.9		(0.3	)
	Dedicated project personnel			10.9		5.4
	Certain R&D agreements			4.5		—
	Relocated facilities			0.7		1.3
	Certain litigation matters			—		(3.8	)
	Contract terminations			1		0.5
	Contingent consideration adjustments			0.5		0.3
	Accelerated software amortization			1.5		1.5
	Other			1.2		1.4
	Special items		$	45.9	$	33.5
	In the three months ended March 31, 2014, we reduced the estimated useful lives of certain intangible assets to zero because we determined we would no longer utilize those assets. This was accounted for as a change in accounting estimate, which resulted in their remaining net book values of $7.2 million being amortized immediately. We have included this amortization expense in the caption “Impairment/loss on disposal of assets.”
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements — There are no recently issued accounting pronouncements that we have not yet adopted that are expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	3	Inventories
			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
			(in millions)
	Finished goods		$	865.3	$	817
	Work in progress			85.9		77.4
	Raw materials			174.7		180.1
	Inventories		$	1,125.90	$	1,074.50

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	4	Property, Plant and Equipment
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	Land		$	21.7		$	21.7
	Buildings and equipment			1,356.10			1,353.10
	Capitalized software costs			278.2			272.6
	Instruments			1,646.90			1,610.60
	Construction in progress			75.1			58.2
				3,378.00			3,316.20
	Accumulated depreciation			(2,142.4	)		(2,091.5	)
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	1,235.60		$	1,224.70

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	5	Investments
	We invest in short and long-term investments classified as available-for-sale securities. Information regarding our investments is as follows (in millions):
			Amortized		Gross					Fair value
			Cost		Unrealized
					Gains		Losses
	As of March 31, 2014
	Corporate debt securities		$	288.7	$	0.3	$	(0.1	)	$	288.9
	U.S. government and agency debt securities			199.2		—		—			199.2
	Foreign government debt securities			8.1		—		—			8.1
	Commercial paper			267.3		—		(0.1	)		267.2
	Certificates of deposit			60.5		—		—			60.5
	Total short and long-term investments		$	823.8	$	0.3	$	(0.2	)	$	823.9
	As of December 31, 2013
	Corporate debt securities		$	457.6	$	0.4	$	(0.1	)	$	457.9
	U.S. government and agency debt securities			211.1		0.1		—			211.2
	Foreign government debt securities			3.1		—		—			3.1
	Commercial paper			68.3		—		—			68.3
	Certificates of deposit			67.2		—		—			67.2
	Total short and long-term investments		$	807.3	$	0.5	$	(0.1	)	$	807.7
	The unrealized losses on our investments in corporate debt securities were caused by increases in interest yields in the global credit markets. We believe the unrealized losses associated with these securities as of March 31, 2014 are temporary because we do not intend to sell these investments, and we do not believe we will be required to sell them before recovery of their amortized cost basis.
	The amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities by contractual maturity are as follows (in millions):
			March 31, 2014
			Amortized		Fair Value
			Cost
	Due in one year or less		$	705.4	$	705.4
	Due after one year through two years			118.4		118.5
	Total		$	823.8	$	823.9

Other_Current_Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Current Liabilities	'
	6	Other Current Liabilities
			March 31,		December 31,
			2014		2013
			(in millions)
	Other current liabilities:
	Salaries, wages and benefits		$	77.6	$	122.8
	Accrued liabilities			530.7		541.3
	Total other current liabilities		$	608.3	$	664.1

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	7	Debt
	Our debt consisted of the following (in millions):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Long-term debt
	Senior Notes due 2014		$	250		$	250
	Senior Notes due 2019			500			500
	Senior Notes due 2021			300			300
	Senior Notes due 2039			500			500
	Term Loan			114.5			112.4
	Other long-term debt			2.7			2.1
	Debt discount			(1.5	)		(1.5	)
	Adjustment related to interest rate swaps			14.4			9.3
	Total long-term debt		$	1,680.10		$	1,672.30
	The estimated fair value of our senior notes as of March 31, 2014, based on quoted prices for the specific securities from transactions in over-the-counter markets (Level 2), was $1,700.7 million. The estimated fair value of the term loan as of March 31, 2014, based upon publicly available market yield curves and the terms of the debt (Level 2), was $114.2 million.
	Before our senior notes due November 30, 2014 become payable, we intend to borrow against our senior credit facility or issue new senior notes to pay the $250 million owed. Since we have the ability and intent to refinance these senior notes on a long-term basis with new notes or through our senior credit facility, we have classified these senior notes as long-term debt as of March 31, 2014.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	8	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Other comprehensive income (OCI) refers to certain gains and losses that under GAAP are included in comprehensive income but are excluded from net earnings as these amounts are initially recorded as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. Amounts in OCI may be reclassified to net earnings upon the occurrence of certain events.
	Our OCI is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, and amortization of prior service costs and unrecognized gains and losses in actuarial assumptions on our defined benefit plans. Foreign currency translation adjustments are reclassified to net earnings upon sale or upon a complete or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity. Unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges are reclassified to net earnings when the hedged item affects net earnings. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reclassified to net earnings if we sell the security before maturity or if the unrealized loss is considered to be other-than-temporary. Amounts related to defined benefit plans that are in OCI are reclassified over the service periods of employees in the plan. The reclassification amounts are allocated to all employees in the plans and therefore the reclassified amounts may become part of inventory to the extent they are considered direct labor costs. See Note 12 for more information on our defined benefit plans.
	The following table shows the changes in the components of OCI, net of tax (in millions):
			Foreign			Cash			Unrealized			Defined
			Currency			Flow			Gains on			Benefit
			Translation			Hedges			Securities			Plan Items
	Balance December 31, 2013		$	401.1		$	33.1		$	0.5		$	(67.6	)
	OCI before reclassifications			15.9			(3.1	)		0.1			—
	Reclassifications			—			(2.0	)		(0.4	)		(1.9	)
	Balance March 31, 2014		$	417		$	28		$	0.2		$	(69.5	)
	The following table shows the reclassification adjustments from OCI (in millions):
			Amount of Gain /  (Loss)
			Reclassified from OCI
			Three Months Ended						Location on
			March  31,						Statement of Earnings
	Component of OCI		2014			2013
	Cash flow hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	5		$	(5.4	)	Cost of products sold
	Foreign exchange options			(0.1	)		(0.1	)	Cost of products sold
				4.9			(5.5	)	Total before tax
				2.9			(1.6	)	Provision for income taxes
			$	2		$	(3.9	)	Net of tax
	Investments
	Realized gains on securities			0.4			—		Interest income
				—			—		Provision for income taxes
			$	0.4		$	—		Net of tax
	Defined benefit plans
	Prior service cost		$	1		$	1		*
	Unrecognized actuarial (loss)			(2.9	)		(4.7	)	*
				(1.9	)		(3.7	)	Total before tax
				—			0.5		Provision for income taxes
			$	(1.9	)	$	(4.2	)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications		$	0.5		$	(8.1	)	Net of tax
	*	These OCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension expense (see Note 12).
	The following table shows the tax effects on each component of OCI recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (in millions):
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014									Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
			Before Tax			Tax			Net of Tax			Before Tax			Tax			Net of Tax
	Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments		$	15.9		$	—		$	15.9		$	(65.0	)	$	—		$	(65.0	)
	Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses)			(3.9	)		(0.8	)		(3.1	)		44.8			15.6			29.2
	Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges			(4.9	)		(2.9	)		(2.0	)		5.5			1.6			3.9
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities			0.1			—			0.1			(0.1	)		—			(0.1	)
	Reclassification adjustments on securities			(0.4	)		—			(0.4	)		—			—			—
	Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions			(1.9	)		—			(1.9	)		3.7			(0.5	)		4.2
	Total Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss)		$	4.9		$	(3.7	)	$	8.6		$	(11.1	)	$	16.7		$	(27.8	)

Fair_Value_Measurement_of_Asse

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities	'
	9	Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities
	The following assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):
			As of March 31, 2014
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
					Date Using:
	Description		Recorded		Quoted		Significant		Significant
			Balance		Prices in		Other		Unobservable
					Active		Observable		Inputs
					Markets for		Inputs		(Level 3)
					Identical		(Level 2)
					Assets
					(Level 1)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate debt securities		$	288.9	$	—	$	288.9	$	—
	U.S. government and agency debt securities			199.2		—		199.2		—
	Foreign government debt securities			8.1		—		8.1		—
	Commercial paper			267.2		—		267.2		—
	Certificates of deposit			60.5		—		60.5		—
	Total available-for-sale securities			823.9		—		823.9		—
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options			49.2		—		49.2		—
	Interest rate swaps			17.1		—		17.1		—
			$	890.2	$	—	$	890.2	$	—
	Liabilities
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options			18.3		—		18.3		—
	Interest rate swaps			2.7		—		2.7		—
			$	21	$	—	$	21	$	—
			As of December 31, 2013
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
					Date Using:
	Description		Recorded		Quoted		Significant		Significant
			Balance		Prices in		Other		Unobservable
					Active		Observable		Inputs
					Markets for		Inputs		(Level 3)
					Identical		(Level 2)
					Assets
					(Level 1)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate debt securities		$	457.9	$	—	$	457.9	$	—
	U.S. government and agency debt securities			211.2		—		211.2		—
	Foreign government debt securities			3.1		—		3.1		—
	Commercial paper			68.3		—		68.3		—
	Certificates of deposit			67.2		—		67.2		—
	Total available-for-sale securities			807.7		—		807.7		—
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options			68.7		—		68.7		—
	Interest rate swaps			16.3		—		16.3		—
			$	892.7	$	—	$	892.7	$	—
	Liabilities
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options			20.6		—		20.6		—
	Interest rate swaps			7		—		7		—
			$	27.6	$	—	$	27.6	$	—
	We value our available-for-sale securities using a market approach based on broker prices for identical assets in over-the-counter markets and we perform ongoing assessments of counterparty credit risk.
	We value our foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency options using a market approach based on foreign currency exchange rates obtained from active markets and we perform ongoing assessments of counterparty credit risk.
	We value our interest rate swaps using a market approach based on publicly available market yield curves and the terms of our swaps and we perform ongoing assessments of counterparty credit risk.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	10	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	We are exposed to certain market risks relating to our ongoing business operations, including foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. We manage our exposure to these and other market risks through regular operating and financing activities. Currently, the only risks that we manage through the use of derivative instruments are interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk.
	Interest Rate Risk
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedges
	We use interest rate derivative instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate movements by converting fixed-rate debt into variable-rate debt. Under these agreements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. The objective of the instruments is to more closely align interest expense with interest income received on cash and cash equivalents. These derivative instruments are designated as fair value hedges under GAAP. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded in current earnings and are offset by gains or losses on the underlying debt instrument.
	We have multiple fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreements that we have designated as fair value hedges of the fixed interest rate obligations on our senior notes due 2019 and 2021. The total notional amounts are $250 million and $300 million for the senior notes due 2019 and 2021, respectively. On the interest rate swap agreements for the senior notes due 2019, we receive a fixed interest rate of 4.625 percent and pay variable interest equal to the three-month LIBOR plus an average of 133 basis points. On the interest rate swap agreements for the senior notes due 2021, we receive a fixed interest rate of 3.375 percent and pay variable interest equal to the three-month LIBOR plus an average of 99 basis points.
	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
	We operate on a global basis and are exposed to the risk that our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To reduce the potential effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements on net earnings, we enter into derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency exchange forward contracts and options with major financial institutions. We are primarily exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to transactions and net assets denominated in Euros, Swiss Francs, Japanese Yen, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, Korean Won, Swedish Krona, Czech Koruna, Thai Baht, Taiwan Dollars, South African Rand, Russian Rubles and Indian Rupees. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
	Our revenues are generated in various currencies throughout the world. However, a significant amount of our inventory is produced in U.S. Dollars. Therefore, movements in foreign currency exchange rates may have different proportional effects on our revenues compared to our cost of products sold. To minimize the effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements on cash flows, we hedge intercompany sales of inventory expected to occur within the next 30 months with foreign currency exchange forward contracts and options. We designate these derivative instruments as cash flow hedges.
	We perform quarterly assessments of hedge effectiveness by verifying and documenting the critical terms of the hedge instrument and that forecasted transactions have not changed significantly. We also assess on a quarterly basis whether there have been adverse developments regarding the risk of a counterparty default. For derivatives which qualify as hedges of future cash flows, the effective portion of changes in fair value is temporarily recorded in other comprehensive income and then recognized in cost of products sold when the hedged item affects net earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value, if any, is immediately reported in cost of products sold.
	For foreign currency exchange forward contracts and options outstanding at March 31, 2014, we had obligations to purchase U.S. Dollars and sell Euros, Japanese Yen, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, Korean Won, Swedish Krona, Czech Koruna, Thai Baht, Taiwan Dollars, South African Rand, Russian Rubles and Indian Rupees and obligations to purchase Swiss Francs and sell U.S. Dollars. These derivatives mature at dates ranging from April 2014 through September 2016. As of March 31, 2014, the notional amounts of outstanding forward contracts and options entered into with third parties to purchase U.S. Dollars were $1,564.9 million. As of March 31, 2014, the notional amounts of outstanding forward contracts and options entered into with third parties to purchase Swiss Francs were $344.5 million.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	We enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts with terms of one month to manage currency exposures for monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency. As a result, any foreign currency remeasurement gains/losses recognized in earnings are generally offset with gains/losses on the foreign currency forward exchange contracts in the same reporting period. These offsetting gains/losses are recorded in cost of products sold as the underlying assets and liabilities exposed to remeasurement include inventory-related transactions. These contracts are settled on the last day of each reporting period. Therefore, there is no outstanding balance related to these contracts recorded on the balance sheet as of the end of the reporting period. The notional amounts of these contracts are typically in a range of $1.2 billion to $1.7 billion per quarter.
	Income Statement Presentation
	Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedges
	Derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges had the following effects on our condensed consolidated statements of earnings (in millions):
							Gain / (Loss) on Instrument								Gain / (Loss) on Hedged Item
			Location  on				Three Months								Three Months
			Statement of Earnings				Ended								Ended
							March 31,								March 31,
	Derivative Instrument						2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest rate swaps			Interest expense			$	5.1			$	(3.3	)		$	(5.1	)		$	3.3
	We had no ineffective fair value hedging instruments during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
	Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges had the following effects, before taxes, on OCI and net earnings on our condensed consolidated statements of earnings, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
			Amount of												Amount of
			Gain / (Loss)												Gain / (Loss)
			Recognized in OCI												Reclassified from OCI
			Three Months								Location  on				Three Months
			Ended								Statement of Earnings				Ended
			March 31,												March 31,
	Derivative Instrument		2014				2013								2014				2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	(3.9	)		$	45.3				Cost of products sold			$	5			$	(5.4	)
	Foreign exchange options			—				(0.5	)			Cost of products sold				(0.1	)			(0.1	)
			$	(3.9	)		$	44.8							$	4.9			$	(5.5	)
	The net amount recognized in earnings during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 due to ineffectiveness and amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness was not significant.
	The fair value of outstanding derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and recorded on the balance sheet at March 31, 2014, together with settled derivatives where the hedged item has not yet affected earnings, was a net unrealized gain of $51.9 million, or $28.0 million after taxes, which is deferred in OCI. Of the net unrealized gain, $29.1 million, or $14.8 million after taxes, is expected to be reclassified to earnings over the next twelve months.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	The following gains / (losses) from these derivative instruments were recognized on our condensed consolidated statements of earnings (in millions):
			Location  on				Three Months
			Statement of Earnings				Ended
							March 31,
	Derivative Instrument						2014				2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts			Cost of products sold			$	(2.4	)		$	7.9
	This impact does not include any offsetting gains/losses recognized in earnings as a result of foreign currency remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency.
	Balance Sheet Presentation
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, all derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges and cash flow hedges were recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. On our condensed consolidated balance sheets, we recognize individual forward contracts and options with the same counterparty on a net asset/liability basis if we have a master netting agreement with the counterparty. Under these master netting agreements, we are able to settle derivative instrument assets and liabilities with the same counterparty in a single transaction, instead of settling each derivative instrument separately. We have master netting agreements with all of our counterparties. The fair value of derivative instruments on a gross basis is as follows (in millions):
			March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Balance		Fair				Balance		Fair
			Sheet		Value				Sheet		Value
			Location						Location
	Asset Derivatives
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		Other current assets		$	50.9			Other current assets		$	60.2
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		Other assets			18.8			Other assets			30.2
	Interest rate swaps		Other assets			17.1			Other assets			16.3
	Total asset derivatives				$	86.8					$	106.7
	Liability Derivatives
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		Other current liabilities		$	25.4			Other current liabilities		$	26.4
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		Other long-term liabilities			13.4			Other long-term liabilities			15.9
	Interest rate swaps		Other long-term liabilities			2.7			Other long-term liabilities			7
	Total liability derivatives				$	41.5					$	49.3
	The table below presents the effects of our master netting agreements on our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
				As of March 31, 2014												As of December 31, 2013
Description		Location		Gross				Offset				Net Amount				Gross				Offset		Net Amount
				Amount								in Balance				Amount						in Balance
												Sheet										Sheet
Asset Derivatives
Cash flow hedges		Other current assets		$	50.9			$	13.6			$	37.3			$	60.2			$	13.5	$	46.7
Cash flow hedges		Other assets			18.8				6.9				11.9				30.2				8.2		22
Liability Derivatives
Cash flow hedges		Other current liabilities			25.4				13.6				11.8				26.4				13.5		12.9
Cash flow hedges		Other long-term liabilities			13.4				6.9				6.5				15.9				8.2		7.7

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	11	Income Taxes
	We operate on a global basis and are subject to numerous and complex tax laws and regulations. Our income tax filings are regularly under audit in multiple federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. Income tax audits may require an extended period of time to reach resolution and may result in significant income tax adjustments when interpretation of tax laws or allocation of company profits is disputed. We estimate that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change within the next twelve months between $0 and $60 million due to changes in audit status, expiration of statutes of limitations, settlements of tax assessments and other events which could impact our determination of unrecognized tax benefits.
	During the second quarter of 2011, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) concluded its examination of our U.S. federal returns for years 2005 through 2007 and during the fourth quarter of 2013, the IRS concluded its examination of our U.S. federal returns for years 2008 through 2009. For years 2006 through 2009, the IRS has proposed adjustments reallocating profits between certain of our U.S. and foreign subsidiaries. We have disputed these proposed adjustments and continue to pursue resolution with the IRS. Although the ultimate timing for resolution of the disputed tax issues is uncertain, we may resolve certain tax matters with the IRS within the next twelve months, and pay amounts for other unresolved tax matters in order to limit the potential impact of IRS interest charges. Final resolution of these matters could have a material impact on our income tax expense, results of operations and cash flows for future periods.
	In the three month period ended March 31, 2014, our effective tax rate was 22.7 percent. Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory income tax rate of 35 percent primarily due to income earned in foreign locations with lower tax rates as well as an international reorganization resulting in the release of a valuation allowance on foreign net operating loss carryforwards.

Retirement_Benefit_Plans

Retirement Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement Benefit Plans	'
	12	Retirement Benefit Plans
	We have defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. and Puerto Rico employees. The employees who are not participating in the defined benefit plans receive additional benefits under our defined contribution plans. Plan benefits are primarily based on years of credited service and the participant’s compensation. In addition to the U.S. and Puerto Rico defined benefit pension plans, we sponsor various foreign pension arrangements, including retirement and termination benefit plans required by local law or coordinated with government sponsored plans.
	The components of net periodic pension expense for our U.S. and foreign defined benefit retirement plans are as follows (in millions):
			Three Months
			Ended
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Service cost		$	6.7		$	7.1
	Interest cost			6.4			4.7
	Expected return on plan assets			(10.4	)		(8.9	)
	Amortization of prior service cost			(1.0	)		(1.0	)
	Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss			2.9			4.7
	Net periodic pension expense		$	4.6		$	6.6
	We contributed $2.0 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2014 to our U.S. and Puerto Rico defined benefit plans and do not expect to contribute additional funds to these plans during the remainder of 2014. We contributed $3.6 million to our foreign-based defined benefit plans in the three month period ended March 31, 2014 and expect to contribute $11.0 million to these foreign-based plans during the remainder of 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	13	Earnings Per Share
	The following is a reconciliation of weighted average shares for the basic and diluted shares computations (in millions):
			Three Months
			Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Weighted average shares outstanding for basic net earnings per share			169.1		168.7
	Effect of dilutive stock options and other equity awards			2.7		2
	Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted net earnings per share			171.8		170.7
	During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, all outstanding options to purchase shares of common stock were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of all options were less than the average market price of our common stock. During the three month period ended March 31, 2013, an average of 6.3 million options had exercise prices that were greater than the average market price of our common stock and were not included in the computation.
	In the three month period ended March 31, 2014, we repurchased 4.2 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $94.57 per share for a total cash outlay of $400.5 million, including commissions.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	14	Segment Information
	We design, develop, manufacture and market orthopaedic reconstructive implants, biologics, dental implants, spinal implants, trauma products and related surgical products which include surgical supplies and instruments designed to aid in surgical procedures and post-operation rehabilitation. We also provide other healthcare-related services. We manage operations through three major geographic segments – the Americas, which is comprised principally of the U.S. and includes other North, Central and South American markets; Europe, which is comprised principally of Europe and includes the Middle East and African markets; and Asia Pacific, which is comprised primarily of Japan and includes other Asian and Pacific markets. This structure is the basis for our reportable segment information discussed below. Management evaluates reportable segment performance based upon segment operating profit exclusive of operating expenses pertaining to share-based payment expense, inventory step-up and certain other inventory and manufacturing related charges, “Certain claims,” goodwill impairment, “Special items,” and global operations and corporate functions. Global operations and corporate functions include research, development engineering, medical education, brand management, corporate legal, finance, and human resource functions, U.S., Puerto Rico and Ireland-based manufacturing operations and logistics and intangible asset amortization resulting from business combination accounting. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated from segment operating profit.
	Net sales and segment operating profit are as follows (in millions):
			Net Sales				Operating Profit
			Three Months				Three Months
			Ended				Ended
			March 31,				March 31,
			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Americas		$	638.7	$	634.7	$	309.9		$	320.6
	Europe			326.9		307.5		101.7			88.3
	Asia Pacific			195.9		196.7		94.5			80.4
	Total		$	1,161.50	$	1,138.90
	Share-based compensation							(11.2	)		(14.0	)
	Inventory step-up							(2.5	)		(2.2	)
	Special items							(45.9	)		(33.5	)
	Global operations and corporate functions							(148.1	)		(141.4	)
	Operating profit						$	298.4		$	298.2
	Net sales by product category are as follows (in millions):
			Three Months
			Ended
			March 31,
			2014		2013
	Reconstructive
	Knees		$	487.9	$	471
	Hips			331.7		330.8
	Extremities			52.1		47.8
				871.7		849.6
	Dental			61		59.7
	Trauma			79.7		82
	Spine			48.3		47.7
	Surgical and other			100.8		99.9
	Total		$	1,161.50	$	1,138.90

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	15	Commitments and Contingencies
	On a quarterly and annual basis, we review relevant information with respect to loss contingencies and update our accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews. We establish liabilities for loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. For matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, no accrual has been made.
	Litigation
	Durom® Cup-related claims: On July 22, 2008, we temporarily suspended marketing and distribution of the Durom Acetabular Component (Durom Cup) in the U.S. Subsequently, a number of product liability lawsuits and other claims have been asserted against us. We have settled some of these claims and the others are still pending. Additional claims may be asserted in the future.
	Since 2008, we have recognized expense of $450.2 million for Durom Cup-related claims. With respect to the period covered by this report, our estimate of our total liability for these claims as of March 31, 2014 remains consistent with our prior estimate, and, accordingly, we did not record any additional expense during the three month period ended March 31, 2014. With respect to the same prior year period, we also did not record any additional expense for Durom Cup-related claims.
	We maintain insurance for product liability claims, subject to self-insurance retention requirements. In 2008, we notified our insurance carriers of potential claims related to the Durom Cup. Based upon our most recent estimates for liabilities associated with the Durom Cup, we believe we may exhaust our self-insured retention under our insurance program. In this event, we would have a claim for insurance proceeds for ultimate losses which exceed the self-insured retention amount, subject to a 20 percent co-payment requirement and a cap. We believe our contracts with the insurance carriers are enforceable for these claims and, therefore, we believe it is probable that we would recover some amount from our insurance carriers if our ultimate losses exceed our self-insured retention. We have recognized a $218.0 million receivable in “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 for estimated insurance recoveries, which reduced “Certain claims” expense. As is customary in this process, our insurance carriers have reserved all rights under their respective policies and could still ultimately deny coverage for some or all of our insurance claims.
	Our estimate as of March 31, 2014 of the remaining liability for all Durom Cup-related claims is $372.3 million, of which $50.0 million is classified as short-term in “Other current liabilities” and $322.3 million is classified as long-term in “Other long-term liabilities” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We expect to pay the majority of the Durom Cup-related claims within the next five years.
	Our understanding of clinical outcomes with the Durom Cup and other large diameter hip cups continues to evolve. We rely on significant estimates in determining the provisions for Durom Cup-related claims, including the number of claims that we will receive and the average amount we will pay per claim. The actual number of claims that we receive and the amount we pay per claim may differ from our estimates. Among other factors, since our understanding of the clinical outcomes is still evolving, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from Durom Cup-related claims in excess of the losses we have accrued.
	Margo and Daniel Polett v. Zimmer, Inc. et al.: On August 20, 2008, Margo and Daniel Polett filed an action against us and an unrelated third party, Public Communications, Inc. (PCI), in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania seeking an unspecified amount of damages for injuries and loss of consortium allegedly suffered by Mrs. Polett and her spouse, respectively. The complaint alleged that defendants were negligent in connection with Mrs. Polett’s participation in a promotional video featuring one of our knee products. The case was tried in November 2010 and the jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiffs. The jury awarded $27.6 million in compensatory damages and apportioned fault 30 percent to plaintiffs, 34 percent to us and 36 percent to PCI. Under applicable law, we may be liable for any portion of the damages apportioned to PCI that it does not pay. On December 2, 2010, we and PCI filed a Motion for Post-Trial Relief seeking a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a new trial or a remittitur. On June 10, 2011, the trial court entered an order denying our Motion for Post-Trial Relief and affirming the jury verdict in full and entered judgment for $20.3 million against us and PCI. On June 29, 2011, we filed a Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and posted a bond for the verdict amount plus interest. Oral argument before the appellate court in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was held as scheduled on March 13, 2012. On March 1, 2013, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania vacated the $27.6 million judgment and remanded the case for a new trial. On March 15, 2013, plaintiffs filed a motion for re-argument en banc, and on March 28, 2013, we filed our response in opposition. On May 9, 2013, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania granted plaintiffs’ motion for re-argument en banc. Oral argument (re-argument en banc) before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania was held on October 16, 2013. On December 20, 2013, the Court issued its opinion again vacating the trial court judgment and remanding the case for a new trial. On January 21, 2014, plaintiffs filed a petition for allowance of appeal in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and on February 4, 2014, we filed our response in opposition. Although we are defending this lawsuit vigorously, its ultimate resolution is uncertain.
	NexGen® Knee System claims: Following a wide-spread advertising campaign conducted by certain law firms beginning in 2010, a number of product liability lawsuits have been filed against us in various jurisdictions. The plaintiffs seek damages for personal injury, alleging that certain products within the NexGen Knee System suffer from defects that cause them to loosen prematurely. The majority of the cases are currently pending in a federal Multidistrict Litigation in the Northern District of Illinois. Other cases are pending in other state and federal courts, and additional lawsuits may be filed. As of March 31, 2014, discovery in these lawsuits was underway and no trial dates had been set. We have not accrued an estimated loss relating to these lawsuits because we believe the plaintiffs’ allegations are not consistent with the record of clinical success for these products. As a result, we do not believe that it is probable that we have incurred a liability, and we cannot reasonably estimate any loss that might eventually be incurred. Although we are vigorously defending these lawsuits, their ultimate resolution is uncertain.
	Intellectual Property-Related Claims
	Patent infringement lawsuit: On December 10, 2010, Stryker Corporation and related entities (Stryker) filed suit against us in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, alleging that certain of our Pulsavac® Plus Wound Debridement Products infringe three U.S. patents assigned to Stryker. The case was tried beginning on January 15, 2013, and on February 5, 2013, the jury found that we infringed certain claims of the subject patents. The jury awarded $70.0 million in monetary damages for lost profits. The jury also found that we willfully infringed the subject patents. We filed multiple post-trial motions, including a motion seeking a new trial. On August 7, 2013, the trial court issued a ruling denying all of our motions and awarded treble damages and attorneys’ fees to Stryker. We filed a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to seek reversal of both the jury’s verdict and the trial court’s rulings on our post-trial motions. That appeal is pending. We have not accrued an estimated loss related to this matter in our condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 or any prior period because we do not believe that it is probable that we have incurred a liability. Although we believe we have strong grounds to reverse the trial court’s judgment, the ultimate resolution of this matter is uncertain. In the future we could be required to record a charge of up to $210.0 million plus interest and attorneys’ fees that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
	Regulatory Matters
	In September 2012, we received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) citing concerns relating to certain manufacturing and validation processes pertaining to Trilogy® Acetabular System products manufactured at our Ponce, Puerto Rico manufacturing facility. We have provided detailed responses to the FDA as to our corrective actions and will continue to work expeditiously to address the issues identified by the FDA during inspections in Ponce. As of March 31, 2014, the warning letter remains pending. Until the violations are corrected, we may be subject to additional regulatory action by the FDA, including seizure, injunction and/or civil monetary penalties. Additionally, requests for Certificates to Foreign Governments related to products manufactured at the Ponce facility may not be granted and premarket approval applications for Class III devices to which the quality system regulation deviations are reasonably related will not be approved until the violations have been corrected. In addition to responding to the warning letter described above, we are in the process of addressing various FDA Form 483 inspectional observations at certain of our manufacturing facilities. The ultimate outcome of these matters is presently uncertain.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	16	Subsequent Event
	On April 24, 2014, we entered into a definitive agreement to merge with LVB Acquisition, Inc. (LVB), the parent company of Biomet, Inc. (Biomet), in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $13.35 billion. We will pay $10.35 billion in cash and issue 32.7 million shares of our common stock which had a value of approximately $3.0 billion, based on a stock price of $91.73 per share using the five day volume weighted average price immediately preceding the signing of the agreement. In connection with the merger, we will pay off all of LVB’s outstanding funded debt, and the aggregate cash merger consideration will be reduced by such amount. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015. The transaction will position the combined company as a leader in the $45 billion musculoskeletal industry.
	Biomet’s product portfolio includes knee and hip reconstructive products; sports medicine, extremities and trauma products; spine, bone healing and microfixation products; dental reconstructive products; and cement, biologics and other products. The combination will enhance enterprise diversification with broader franchises in the Knee, Hip, Surgical, Spine and Dental categories, as well as in the faster-growing Sports Medicine, Extremities and Trauma categories.
	We expect to fund the cash portion of the purchase price with existing cash on hand, as well as proceeds obtained from a newly committed $3.0 billion senior unsecured term loan and senior notes we intend to issue. In connection with our execution of the definitive agreement, in April 2014 we entered into a $7.66 billion 364-day bridge facility, which we intend to reduce when the new senior notes are issued.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Special Items	'
	Special Items — We recognize expenses resulting directly from our business combinations, employee termination benefits, certain R&D agreements, certain contract terminations, consulting and professional fees and asset impairment or loss on disposal charges connected with global restructuring, quality and operational excellence initiatives, and other items as “Special items” in our condensed consolidated statement of earnings. “Special items” included (in millions):
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Impairment/loss on disposal of assets	$	9.7	$	0.3
	Consulting and professional fees		15		26.9
	Employee severance and retention		0.9		(0.3	)
	Dedicated project personnel		10.9		5.4
	Certain R&D agreements		4.5		—
	Relocated facilities		0.7		1.3
	Certain litigation matters		—		(3.8	)
	Contract terminations		1		0.5
	Contingent consideration adjustments		0.5		0.3
	Accelerated software amortization		1.5		1.5
	Other		1.2		1.4
	Special items	$	45.9	$	33.5
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements — There are no recently issued accounting pronouncements that we have not yet adopted that are expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Expenses in Special Items	'
	“Special items” included (in millions):
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Impairment/loss on disposal of assets	$	9.7	$	0.3
	Consulting and professional fees		15		26.9
	Employee severance and retention		0.9		(0.3	)
	Dedicated project personnel		10.9		5.4
	Certain R&D agreements		4.5		—
	Relocated facilities		0.7		1.3
	Certain litigation matters		—		(3.8	)
	Contract terminations		1		0.5
	Contingent consideration adjustments		0.5		0.3
	Accelerated software amortization		1.5		1.5
	Other		1.2		1.4
	Special items	$	45.9	$	33.5

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Inventories	'
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Finished goods	$	865.3	$	817
	Work in progress		85.9		77.4
	Raw materials		174.7		180.1
	Inventories	$	1,125.90	$	1,074.50

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment	'
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Land	$	21.7		$	21.7
	Buildings and equipment		1,356.10			1,353.10
	Capitalized software costs		278.2			272.6
	Instruments		1,646.90			1,610.60
	Construction in progress		75.1			58.2
			3,378.00			3,316.20
	Accumulated depreciation		(2,142.4	)		(2,091.5	)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	1,235.60		$	1,224.70

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments in Short and Long-Term Classified as Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	We invest in short and long-term investments classified as available-for-sale securities. Information regarding our investments is as follows (in millions):
		Amortized		Gross					Fair value
		Cost		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
	As of March 31, 2014
	Corporate debt securities	$	288.7	$	0.3	$	(0.1	)	$	288.9
	U.S. government and agency debt securities		199.2		—		—			199.2
	Foreign government debt securities		8.1		—		—			8.1
	Commercial paper		267.3		—		(0.1	)		267.2
	Certificates of deposit		60.5		—		—			60.5
	Total short and long-term investments	$	823.8	$	0.3	$	(0.2	)	$	823.9
	As of December 31, 2013
	Corporate debt securities	$	457.6	$	0.4	$	(0.1	)	$	457.9
	U.S. government and agency debt securities		211.1		0.1		—			211.2
	Foreign government debt securities		3.1		—		—			3.1
	Commercial paper		68.3		—		—			68.3
	Certificates of deposit		67.2		—		—			67.2
	Total short and long-term investments	$	807.3	$	0.5	$	(0.1	)	$	807.7
Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Fixed-Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity	'
	The amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities by contractual maturity are as follows (in millions):
		March 31, 2014
		Amortized		Fair Value
		Cost
	Due in one year or less	$	705.4	$	705.4
	Due after one year through two years		118.4		118.5
	Total	$	823.8	$	823.9

Other_Current_Liabilities_Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities	'
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Other current liabilities:
	Salaries, wages and benefits	$	77.6	$	122.8
	Accrued liabilities		530.7		541.3
	Total other current liabilities	$	608.3	$	664.1

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Debt Instruments	'
	Our debt consisted of the following (in millions):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Long-term debt
	Senior Notes due 2014	$	250		$	250
	Senior Notes due 2019		500			500
	Senior Notes due 2021		300			300
	Senior Notes due 2039		500			500
	Term Loan		114.5			112.4
	Other long-term debt		2.7			2.1
	Debt discount		(1.5	)		(1.5	)
	Adjustment related to interest rate swaps		14.4			9.3
	Total long-term debt	$	1,680.10		$	1,672.30

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in Components of Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	'
	The following table shows the changes in the components of OCI, net of tax (in millions):
			Foreign			Cash			Unrealized			Defined
			Currency			Flow			Gains on			Benefit
			Translation			Hedges			Securities			Plan Items
	Balance December 31, 2013		$	401.1		$	33.1		$	0.5		$	(67.6	)
	OCI before reclassifications			15.9			(3.1	)		0.1			—
	Reclassifications			—			(2.0	)		(0.4	)		(1.9	)
	Balance March 31, 2014		$	417		$	28		$	0.2		$	(69.5	)
Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table shows the reclassification adjustments from OCI (in millions):
			Amount of Gain /  (Loss)
			Reclassified from OCI
			Three Months Ended						Location on
			March  31,						Statement of Earnings
	Component of OCI		2014			2013
	Cash flow hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	5		$	(5.4	)	Cost of products sold
	Foreign exchange options			(0.1	)		(0.1	)	Cost of products sold
				4.9			(5.5	)	Total before tax
				2.9			(1.6	)	Provision for income taxes
			$	2		$	(3.9	)	Net of tax
	Investments
	Realized gains on securities			0.4			—		Interest income
				—			—		Provision for income taxes
			$	0.4		$	—		Net of tax
	Defined benefit plans
	Prior service cost		$	1		$	1		*
	Unrecognized actuarial (loss)			(2.9	)		(4.7	)	*
				(1.9	)		(3.7	)	Total before tax
				—			0.5		Provision for income taxes
			$	(1.9	)	$	(4.2	)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications		$	0.5		$	(8.1	)	Net of tax
	*	These OCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension expense (see Note 12).
Tax Effects on Each Component of Other Comprehensive Income Recognized in Statements of Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table shows the tax effects on each component of OCI recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (in millions):
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2014									Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
			Before Tax			Tax			Net of Tax			Before Tax			Tax			Net of Tax
	Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments		$	15.9		$	—		$	15.9		$	(65.0	)	$	—		$	(65.0	)
	Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses)			(3.9	)		(0.8	)		(3.1	)		44.8			15.6			29.2
	Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges			(4.9	)		(2.9	)		(2.0	)		5.5			1.6			3.9
	Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities			0.1			—			0.1			(0.1	)		—			(0.1	)
	Reclassification adjustments on securities			(0.4	)		—			(0.4	)		—			—			—
	Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions			(1.9	)		—			(1.9	)		3.7			(0.5	)		4.2
	Total Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss)		$	4.9		$	(3.7	)	$	8.6		$	(11.1	)	$	16.7		$	(27.8	)

Fair_Value_Measurement_of_Asse1

Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities	'
	The following assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):
		As of March 31, 2014
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
				Date Using:
	Description	Recorded		Quoted		Significant		Significant
		Balance		Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets for		Inputs		(Level 3)
				Identical		(Level 2)
				Assets
				(Level 1)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate debt securities	$	288.9	$	—	$	288.9	$	—
	U.S. government and agency debt securities		199.2		—		199.2		—
	Foreign government debt securities		8.1		—		8.1		—
	Commercial paper		267.2		—		267.2		—
	Certificates of deposit		60.5		—		60.5		—
	Total available-for-sale securities		823.9		—		823.9		—
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options		49.2		—		49.2		—
	Interest rate swaps		17.1		—		17.1		—
		$	890.2	$	—	$	890.2	$	—
	Liabilities
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options		18.3		—		18.3		—
	Interest rate swaps		2.7		—		2.7		—
		$	21	$	—	$	21	$	—
		As of December 31, 2013
				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
				Date Using:
	Description	Recorded		Quoted		Significant		Significant
		Balance		Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets for		Inputs		(Level 3)
				Identical		(Level 2)
				Assets
				(Level 1)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale securities
	Corporate debt securities	$	457.9	$	—	$	457.9	$	—
	U.S. government and agency debt securities		211.2		—		211.2		—
	Foreign government debt securities		3.1		—		3.1		—
	Commercial paper		68.3		—		68.3		—
	Certificates of deposit		67.2		—		67.2		—
	Total available-for-sale securities		807.7		—		807.7		—
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options		68.7		—		68.7		—
	Interest rate swaps		16.3		—		16.3		—
		$	892.7	$	—	$	892.7	$	—
	Liabilities
	Derivatives, current and long-term
	Foreign currency forward contracts and options		20.6		—		20.6		—
	Interest rate swaps		7		—		7		—
		$	27.6	$	—	$	27.6	$	—

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments Designated as Fair Value Hedges	'
	Derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges had the following effects on our condensed consolidated statements of earnings (in millions):
						Gain / (Loss) on Instrument								Gain / (Loss) on Hedged Item
		Location  on				Three Months								Three Months
		Statement of Earnings				Ended								Ended
						March 31,								March 31,
	Derivative Instrument					2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest rate swaps		Interest expense			$	5.1			$	(3.3	)		$	(5.1	)		$	3.3
Gross Unrealized Losses from Derivative Instruments	'
	Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges had the following effects, before taxes, on OCI and net earnings on our condensed consolidated statements of earnings, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
		Amount of												Amount of
		Gain / (Loss)												Gain / (Loss)
		Recognized in OCI												Reclassified from OCI
		Three Months								Location  on				Three Months
		Ended								Statement of Earnings				Ended
		March 31,												March 31,
	Derivative Instrument	2014				2013								2014				2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(3.9	)		$	45.3				Cost of products sold			$	5			$	(5.4	)
	Foreign exchange options		—				(0.5	)			Cost of products sold				(0.1	)			(0.1	)
		$	(3.9	)		$	44.8							$	4.9			$	(5.5	)
Gains/(Losses) from Derivative Instruments Recognized in Cost of Products Sold	'
	The following gains / (losses) from these derivative instruments were recognized on our condensed consolidated statements of earnings (in millions):
		Location  on				Three Months
		Statement of Earnings				Ended
						March 31,
	Derivative Instrument					2014				2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		Cost of products sold			$	(2.4	)		$	7.9
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on a Gross Basis	'
	The fair value of derivative instruments on a gross basis is as follows (in millions):
		March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Balance		Fair				Balance		Fair
		Sheet		Value				Sheet		Value
		Location						Location
	Asset Derivatives
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		$	50.9			Other current assets		$	60.2
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other assets			18.8			Other assets			30.2
	Interest rate swaps	Other assets			17.1			Other assets			16.3
	Total asset derivatives			$	86.8					$	106.7
	Liability Derivatives
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current liabilities		$	25.4			Other current liabilities		$	26.4
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other long-term liabilities			13.4			Other long-term liabilities			15.9
	Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities			2.7			Other long-term liabilities			7
	Total liability derivatives			$	41.5					$	49.3
Schedule of Effects of Master Netting Agreements on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The table below presents the effects of our master netting agreements on our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions):
				As of March 31, 2014												As of December 31, 2013
	Description	Location		Gross				Offset				Net Amount				Gross				Offset		Net Amount
				Amount								in Balance				Amount						in Balance
												Sheet										Sheet
	Asset Derivatives
	Cash flow hedges	Other current assets		$	50.9			$	13.6			$	37.3			$	60.2			$	13.5	$	46.7
	Cash flow hedges	Other assets			18.8				6.9				11.9				30.2				8.2		22
	Liability Derivatives
	Cash flow hedges	Other current liabilities			25.4				13.6				11.8				26.4				13.5		12.9
	Cash flow hedges	Other long-term liabilities			13.4				6.9				6.5				15.9				8.2		7.7

Retirement_Benefit_Plans_Table

Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Pension Expense	'
	The components of net periodic pension expense for our U.S. and foreign defined benefit retirement plans are as follows (in millions):
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	6.7		$	7.1
	Interest cost		6.4			4.7
	Expected return on plan assets		(10.4	)		(8.9	)
	Amortization of prior service cost		(1.0	)		(1.0	)
	Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss		2.9			4.7
	Net periodic pension expense	$	4.6		$	6.6

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares for Basic and Diluted Shares Computations	'
	The following is a reconciliation of weighted average shares for the basic and diluted shares computations (in millions):
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Weighted average shares outstanding for basic net earnings per share		169.1		168.7
	Effect of dilutive stock options and other equity awards		2.7		2
	Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted net earnings per share		171.8		170.7

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Net Sales and Segment Operating Profit	'
	Net sales and segment operating profit are as follows (in millions):
		Net Sales				Operating Profit
		Three Months				Three Months
		Ended				Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
	Americas	$	638.7	$	634.7	$	309.9		$	320.6
	Europe		326.9		307.5		101.7			88.3
	Asia Pacific		195.9		196.7		94.5			80.4
	Total	$	1,161.50	$	1,138.90
	Share-based compensation						(11.2	)		(14.0	)
	Inventory step-up						(2.5	)		(2.2	)
	Special items						(45.9	)		(33.5	)
	Global operations and corporate functions						(148.1	)		(141.4	)
	Operating profit					$	298.4		$	298.2
Summary of Net Sales by Product Category	'
	Net sales by product category are as follows (in millions):
		Three Months
		Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Reconstructive
	Knees	$	487.9	$	471
	Hips		331.7		330.8
	Extremities		52.1		47.8
			871.7		849.6
	Dental		61		59.7
	Trauma		79.7		82
	Spine		48.3		47.7
	Surgical and other		100.8		99.9
	Total	$	1,161.50	$	1,138.90

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Expenses in Special Items (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Disclosure Significant Accounting Policies Summary Of Expenses In Special Items [Abstract]	'	'
Impairment/loss on disposal of assets	$9.70	$0.30
Consulting and professional fees	15	26.9
Employee severance and retention	0.9	-0.3
Dedicated project personnel	10.9	5.4
Certain R&D agreements	4.5	'
Relocated facilities	0.7	1.3
Certain litigation matters	'	-3.8
Contract terminations	1	0.5
Contingent consideration adjustments	0.5	0.3
Accelerated software amortization	1.5	1.5
Other	1.2	1.4
Special items	$45.90	$33.50

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (Certain intangible assets [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Certain intangible assets [Member]	'
Business And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	'0 years
Amortization expense	$7.20

Inventories_Summary_of_Invento

Inventories - Summary of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished goods	$865.30	$817
Work in progress	85.9	77.4
Raw materials	174.7	180.1
Inventories	$1,125.90	$1,074.50

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S

Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]	'	'
Land	$21.70	$21.70
Buildings and equipment	1,356.10	1,353.10
Capitalized software costs	278.2	272.6
Instruments	1,646.90	1,610.60
Construction in progress	75.1	58.2
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	3,378	3,316.20
Accumulated depreciation	-2,142.40	-2,091.50
Property, plant and equipment, net	$1,235.60	$1,224.70

Investments_Investments_in_Sho

Investments - Investments in Short and Long-Term Classified as Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	$823.80	$807.30
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0.3	0.5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-0.2	-0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	823.9	807.7
Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	60.5	67.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	60.5	67.2
Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	288.7	457.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0.3	0.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-0.1	-0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	288.9	457.9
U.S. government and agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	199.2	211.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	199.2	211.2
Foreign government debt securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	8.1	3.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8.1	3.1
Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	267.3	68.3
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-0.1	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$267.20	$68.30

Investments_Cost_and_Fair_Valu

Investments - Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Fixed-Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Amortized Cost And Fair Value Debt Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Due in One Year or less, Amortized Cost	$705.40	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Due after One year through two Years, Amortized Cost	118.4	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost	823.8	807.3
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Due in One Year or less, Fair Value	705.4	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Due after One year through two Years, Fair Value	118.5	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$823.90	$807.70

Other_Current_Liabilities_Othe

Other Current Liabilities - Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other current liabilities:	'	'
Salaries, wages and benefits	$77.60	$122.80
Accrued liabilities	530.7	541.3
Total other current liabilities	$608.30	$664.10

Debt_Summary_of_Debt_Instrumen

Debt - Summary of Debt Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long-term debt	'	'
Senior Notes due	$250	'
Term Loan	114.5	112.4
Other long-term debt	2.7	2.1
Debt discount	-1.5	-1.5
Adjustment related to interest rate swaps	14.4	9.3
Total long-term debt	1,680.10	1,672.30
Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Senior Notes due	250	250
Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Senior Notes due	500	500
Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Senior Notes due	300	300
Senior Notes due 2039 [Member]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Senior Notes due	$500	$500

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Senior Notes due	$250
Senior Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Estimated fair value of senior notes and term loan	1,700.70
Term Loan [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Estimated fair value of senior notes and term loan	$114.20

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes in Components of Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Foreign Currency Translation [Member]	Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	Unrealized Gains on Securities [Member]	Defined Benefit Plan Items [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Beginning Balance	$375.70	$367.10	$401.10	$33.10	$0.50	($67.60)
OCI before reclassifications	'	'	15.9	-3.1	0.1	'
Reclassifications	'	'	'	-2	-0.4	-1.9
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Ending Balance	$375.70	$367.10	$417	$28	$0.20	($69.50)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of Product Sold	($305.40)	($292.90)
Interest income	2.5	3.7
Provision for income taxes	64.8	65.7
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Net of tax	0.5	-8.1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Total before tax	4.9	-5.5
Provision for income taxes	2.9	-1.6
Net of tax	2	-3.9
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of Product Sold	5	-5.4
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Foreign exchange options [Member]	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of Product Sold	-0.1	-0.1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Defined Benefit Plan Items [Member]	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Prior service cost	1	1
Unrecognized actuarial (loss)	-2.9	-4.7
Total before tax	-1.9	-3.7
Provision for income taxes	'	0.5
Net of tax	-1.9	-4.2
Investments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'
Interest income	0.4	'
Net of tax	$0.40	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Tax Effects on Each Component of Other Comprehensive Income Recognized in Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments, Before Tax	$15.90	($65)
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), Before Tax	-3.9	44.8
Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, Before Tax	-4.9	5.5
Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, Before Tax	0.1	-0.1
Reclassification adjustments on securities/Before Tax	-0.4	'
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, Before Tax	-1.9	3.7
Total Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss), Before Tax	4.9	-11.1
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments, Tax	'	'
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), Tax	-0.8	15.6
Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, Tax	-2.9	1.6
Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, Tax	'	'
Reclassification adjustments on securities, Tax	'	'
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, Tax	'	-0.5
Total Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss), Tax	-3.7	16.7
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustments, net of tax	15.9	-65
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains/(losses), net of tax	-3.1	29.2
Reclassification adjustments on foreign currency hedges, net of tax	-2	3.9
Unrealized gains/(losses) on securities, net of tax	0.1	-0.1
Reclassification adjustments on securities, net of tax	-0.4	'
Adjustments to prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial assumptions, net of tax	-1.9	4.2
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$8.60	($27.80)

Fair_Value_Measurements_of_Ass

Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities - Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$823.90	$807.70
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	823.9	807.7
Total fair value measurement of assets	890.2	892.7
Total fair value measurement of liabilities	21	27.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives, current and long-term	49.2	68.7
Derivatives, current and long-term	18.3	20.6
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives, current and long-term	17.1	16.3
Derivatives, current and long-term	2.7	7
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	288.9	457.9
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government and agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	199.2	211.2
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign government debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8.1	3.1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	267.2	68.3
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	60.5	67.2
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	823.9	807.7
Total fair value measurement of assets	890.2	892.7
Total fair value measurement of liabilities	21	27.6
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives, current and long-term	49.2	68.7
Derivatives, current and long-term	18.3	20.6
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivatives, current and long-term	17.1	16.3
Derivatives, current and long-term	2.7	7
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	288.9	457.9
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government and agency debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	199.2	211.2
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign government debt securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8.1	3.1
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	267.2	68.3
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$60.50	$67.20

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Expected months of hedging of inter company sales of inventory to minimize the effects of foreign exchange rate movements	'30 months	'
Minimum notional amounts of foreign currency forward exchange contracts	$1,200,000,000	'
Maximum notional amounts of foreign currency forward exchange contracts	1,700,000,000	'
Amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness	0	0
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, net unrealized gain deferred in other comprehensive income	51,900,000	'
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, net unrealized gain expected to be reclassified to earnings	29,100,000	'
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, unrealized gain net of taxes expected to be reclassified to earnings	14,800,000	'
Cash flow hedges [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of outstanding derivative instruments, unrealized gain net of taxes deferred in other comprehensive income	28,000,000	'
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | U.S. Dollars [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative notional amount, Total	1,564,900,000	'
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Swiss Francs [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative notional amount, Total	344,500,000	'
Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative notional amount, Total	250,000,000	'
Interest rate of Senior Notes	4.63%	'
Description of terms of Interest rate Derivatives terms	'Receive a fixed interest rate of 4.625 percent and pay variable interest equal to the three-month LIBOR plus an average of 133 basis points.	'
Description of variable interest rate basis	'Three-month LIBOR	'
Senior Notes due 2019 [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate swap basis spread on variable rate	1.33%	'
Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative notional amount, Total	$300,000,000	'
Interest rate of Senior Notes	3.38%	'
Description of terms of Interest rate Derivatives terms	'Receive a fixed interest rate of 3.375 percent and pay variable interest equal to the three-month LIBOR plus an average of 99 basis points.	'
Description of variable interest rate basis	'Three-month LIBOR	'
Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rate swap basis spread on variable rate	0.99%	'

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Derivative Instruments Designated as Fair Value Hedges (Detail) (Interest rate swaps [Member], Interest expense [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Interest rate swaps [Member] | Interest expense [Member]	'	'
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Gain / (Loss) on Instrument	$5.10	($3.30)
Gain / (Loss) on Hedged Item	($5.10)	$3.30

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gross Unrealized Losses from Derivative Instruments (Detail) (Cash flow hedges [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in OCI	($3.90)	$44.80
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Reclassified from OCI	4.9	-5.5
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in OCI	-3.9	45.3
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cost of products sold [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Reclassified from OCI	5	-5.4
Foreign exchange options [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Recognized in OCI	'	-0.5
Foreign exchange options [Member] | Cost of products sold [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Amount of Gain / (Loss) Reclassified from OCI	($0.10)	($0.10)

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Gains/(Losses) from Derivative Instruments Recognized in Cost of Products Sold (Detail) (Nondesignated [Member], Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member], Cost of products sold [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Nondesignated [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Cost of products sold [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gains (losses) from derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	($2.40)	$7.90

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed6

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on Gross Basis (Detail) (Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets	$86.80	$106.70
Derivative Liabilities	41.5	49.3
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other current assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets	50.9	60.2
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets	18.8	30.2
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other current liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liabilities	25.4	26.4
Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Other long-term liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liabilities	13.4	15.9
Interest rate swaps [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Assets	17.1	16.3
Interest rate swaps [Member] | Other long-term liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liabilities	$2.70	$7

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed7

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Effects of Master Netting Agreements on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (Cash flow hedges [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other current assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	$50.90	$60.20
Offset	13.6	13.5
Net Amount in Balance Sheet	37.3	46.7
Other assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	18.8	30.2
Offset	6.9	8.2
Net Amount in Balance Sheet	11.9	22
Other current liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	25.4	26.4
Offset	13.6	13.5
Net Amount in Balance Sheet	11.8	12.9
Other long-term liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Amount	13.4	15.9
Offset	6.9	8.2
Net Amount in Balance Sheet	$6.50	$7.70

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unrecognized tax benefits lower range	$0
Unrecognized tax benefits upper range	$60
Effective tax rate	22.70%
U.S. statutory income tax rate	35.00%

Retirement_Benefit_Plans_Compo

Retirement Benefit Plans - Components of Net Pension Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Service cost	$6.70	$7.10
Interest cost	6.4	4.7
Expected return on plan assets	-10.4	-8.9
Amortization of prior service cost	-1	-1
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss	2.9	4.7
Net periodic pension expense	$4.60	$6.60

Retirement_Benefit_Plans_Addit

Retirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
U.S. and Puerto Rico [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Contribution towards defined benefit plans	$2
Additional contribution towards defined benefit plans	0
Foreign-based defined benefit plans [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Contribution towards defined benefit plans	3.6
Additional contribution towards defined benefit plans	$11

Earnings_per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings per Share - Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares for Basic and Diluted Share Computations (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic net earnings per share	169.1	168.7
Effect of dilutive stock options and other equity awards	2.7	2
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted net earnings per share	171.8	170.7

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Options to purchase shares of common stock not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	'	6.3
Repurchased shares of common stock	4.2	'
Average price per share	$94.57	'
Total cash outlay	$400.50	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of geographic segments	3

Segment_Information_Summary_of

Segment Information - Summary of Net Sales and Segment Operating Profit (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	$1,161.50	$1,138.90
Share-based compensation	-11.2	-14
Operating profit	298.4	298.2
Special items	-45.9	-33.5
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'	'
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based compensation	-11.2	-14
Inventory step-up	-2.5	-2.2
Special items	-45.9	-33.5
Global operations and corporate functions	-148.1	-141.4
Americas Segment [Member]	'	'
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	638.7	634.7
Americas Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Operating profit	309.9	320.6
Europe Segment [Member]	'	'
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	326.9	307.5
Europe Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Operating profit	101.7	88.3
Asia Pacific Segment [Member]	'	'
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	195.9	196.7
Asia Pacific Segment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'
Sales Information [Line Items]	'	'
Operating profit	$94.50	$80.40

Segment_Information_Summary_of1

Segment Information - Summary of Net Sales by Product Category (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	$1,161.50	$1,138.90
Knees [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	487.9	471
Hips [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	331.7	330.8
Extremities [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	52.1	47.8
Reconstructive [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	871.7	849.6
Dental [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	61	59.7
Trauma [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	79.7	82
Spine [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	48.3	47.7
Surgical and other [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	$100.80	$99.90

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		75 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 01, 2013	Jun. 10, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Certain claims selling, general and administrative, net	$0	$0	$450.20	'	'
Self-insured retention amount	20.00%	'	'	'	'
Receivables in other assets	218	'	218	'	'
Compensatory damages awarded	27.6	'	'	'	'
Percentage of fault apportioned to plaintiffs	30.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of fault apportioned to company	34.00%	'	'	'	'
Percentage of fault apportioned to unrelated third party	36.00%	'	'	'	'
Verdict in full and entered judgment	'	'	'	'	20.3
Compensatory damages vacated	'	'	'	27.6	'
Stryker Corporation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of patents infringed	3	'	3	'	'
Monetary damages for lost profits	70	'	'	'	'
Estimated charges	210	'	210	'	'
Durom Cup Related Claims [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated liability outstanding	372.3	'	372.3	'	'
Estimated liability classified as short-term	50	'	50	'	'
Estimated liability classified as long-term	$322.30	'	$322.30	'	'
Period for payment of majority of claims	'5 years	'	'	'	'

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified		Subsequent Event [Member]	Lvb Acquisition Inc [Member]	Musculo Skeletal Industry [Member]	Senior unsecured term loan and senior notes [Member]	Scenario, Forecast [Member]
			Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Lvb Acquisition Inc [Member]
						Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Date of merger agreement	'	'	24-Apr-14	'	'	'
Total consideration	'	'	'	'	'	$13,350,000,000
Consideration paid, cash	'	'	'	'	'	10,350,000,000
Consideration paid, shares	'	'	'	'	'	32.7
Consideration paid, Common stock value	'	'	'	'	'	3,000,000,000
Consideration paid, common stock price	'	'	$91.73	'	'	'
Net worth	'	'	'	45,000,000,000	'	'
Senior unsecured term loan and senior notes	250,000,000	'	'	'	3,000,000,000	'
Bridge loan	'	$7,660,000,000	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument term	'	'364 days	'	'	'	'