Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest Rate Protection [Abstract]
Interest rate cash flow hedge ineffectiveness is immaterial	The ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant for the third quarter or first nine months of 2011 and 2010. Effective October 2011, we elected to use one-month LIBOR for amounts outstanding under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility. As a result of this election, the ineffective portion of the interest rate swaps will likely increase.	The ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant for the third quarter or first nine months of 2011 and 2010.	The ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant for the third quarter or first nine months of 2011 and 2010. Effective October 2011, we elected to use one-month LIBOR for amounts outstanding under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility. As a result of this election, the ineffective portion of the interest rate swaps will likely increase.	The ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant for the third quarter or first nine months of 2011 and 2010.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk Mitigation [Abstract]
Notional amount of foreign currency exchange contracts	$ 50,100,000		$ 50,100,000		$ 92,100,000
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregrate Fair Value, Additional Collateral			If the credit-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on September 30, 2011, KCI could be required to settle or post the full amount as collateral to its counterparties.
Aggregrate Fair Value, Collateral Already Posted			No collateral has been posted by KCI in the normal course of business.
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss) [Abstract]
Foreign currency exchange contracts gain (loss)	1,082,000	(7,741,000)	(1,933,000)	1,071,000
Other foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	(3,199,000)	9,889,000	(209,000)	(4,190,000)
Foreign currency gain (loss)	(2,117,000)	2,148,000	(2,142,000)	(3,119,000)
Maximum maturity of foreign currency exchange contracts	The periods of the foreign currency exchange contracts generally do not exceed one year and correspond to the periods of the exposed transactions or related cash flows.		The periods of the foreign currency exchange contracts generally do not exceed one year and correspond to the periods of the exposed transactions or related cash flows.
Swap agreements [Member]
Interest Rate Protection [Abstract]
Underlying risk			interest rate
Number of instruments held	19		19		18
Notional amount of outstanding variable rate debt	525,000,000		525,000,000		444,500,000
Weighted average interest rate of outstanding variable rate debt (in hundredths)	0.789%		0.789%		1.226%
Hedge designation			cash flow hedge
Percentage of debt subject to a fixed rate of interest after hedges (in hudredths)	99.60%		99.60%		93.20%
Description of variable rate basis			three-month LIBOR
Fair value at inception	0		0
Aggregate fair value of interest rate swap agreements	1,700,000		1,700,000		1,700,000
Gain (loss) to be reclassified from AOCI over the next 12 months	1,700,000		1,700,000		1,700,000
Increase in interest expense resulting from hedging activities	600,000	2,000,000	2,300,000	7,600,000
Additional swap agreements effective December 31, 2011 [Member]
Interest Rate Protection [Abstract]
Underlying risk			interest rate
Notional amount of outstanding variable rate debt	125,000,000		125,000,000
Fixed interest rate, low range (in hundredths)	0.81%		0.81%
Fixed interest rate, high range (in hundredths)	0.816%		0.816%
Hedge designation			cash flow hedge
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Interest rate swap agreements [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0		0		0
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Interest rate swap agreements [Member] | Accrued expenses and other [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	1,681,000		1,681,000		1,677,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency exchange contracts [Member] | Prepaid expenses and other [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	1,172,000		1,172,000		364,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency exchange contracts [Member] | Accrued expenses and other [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	306,000		306,000		3,425,000
Interest rate swap agreements [Member] | Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI on derivative	(52,000)	(926,000)	(1,512,000)	(1,719,000)
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income	$ (396,000)	$ (1,281,000)	$ (1,509,000)	$ (4,968,000)