Retirement Plans Retirement Plans (Schedule of Defined Contribution Retirement Plan) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined contribution retirement plan expense	$ 132	$ 112	$ 106
Defined contribution plan expense funded with Stryker common stock	16	15	12
Dollar amount	$ 150	$ 104	$ 91
Shares (in millions of shares)	2.0	1.9	1.8
Value as a percentage of total plan assets	9.00%	9.00%	9.00%