Segment Information (Sales And Other Financial Information By Business Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net sales	$ 2,215	$ 2,031	$ 2,046	$ 2,015	$ 1,995	$ 1,768	$ 1,758	$ 1,799	$ 8,307	$ 7,320	$ 6,723
Depreciation and amortization									481	410	385
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									341	456	517
Segment net earnings (loss)									1,686	1,751	1,594
Less acquisition and integration-related charges									(142)
Less restructuring charges									(60)		(49)
Add uncertain income tax position adjustments									99
Add gain on sale of property, plant and equipment										13
Income (taxes) benefits on repatriation of foreign earnings										7	(67)
Less impairment of property, plant and equipment					0					(76)
Less patent litigation gain											43
Net earnings	401	327	309	308	295	337	319	322	1,345	1,273	1,107
Total assets	12,405				10,895				12,405	10,895	9,071
Capital spending									225	182	131
Reconstructive [Member]
Net sales									3,710	3,549	3,384
Depreciation and amortization									267	250	245
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									375	332	276
Segment net earnings (loss)									926	818	683
Total assets	3,854				3,156				3,854	3,156	3,095
Capital spending									119	106	71
MedSurg [Member]
Net sales									3,160	2,803	2,427
Depreciation and amortization									84	77	66
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									165	178	148
Segment net earnings (loss)									535	481	413
Total assets	2,420				2,333				2,420	2,333	2,011
Capital spending									56	47	42
Neurotechnology And Spine [Member]
Net sales									1,437	968	912
Depreciation and amortization									119	61	52
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									63	60	62
Segment net earnings (loss)									221	188	169
Total assets	2,258				777				2,258	777	563
Capital spending									27	13	13
Other [Member]
Depreciation and amortization									11	22	22
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									(106)	(71)	(38)
Segment net earnings (loss)									(234)	(158)	(85)
Total assets	3,873				4,629				3,873	4,629	3,402
Capital spending									23	16	5
Operating Segments [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									497	499	448
Segment net earnings (loss)									$ 1,448	$ 1,329	$ 1,180