Segment and Geographic Data (Sales And Other Financial Information By Business Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 2,468	$ 2,151	$ 2,212	$ 2,190	$ 2,337	$ 2,052	$ 2,106	$ 2,161	$ 9,021	$ 8,657	$ 8,307
Depreciation and amortization									511	486	481
Income taxes									206	407	341
Segment net earnings (loss)									1,256	1,741	1,686
Less acquisition and integration-related charges									(72)	(37)	(142)
Less restructuring charges									(46)	(59)	(60)
Less Rejuvenate and related charges									(460)	(133)	0
Less regulatory and legal matters									(63)	(33)	0
Less donation									(15)	0	0
Add income tax adjustments									46		99
Net earnings	386	103	213	304	270	353	325	350	1,006	1,298	1,345
Total assets	15,743				13,206				15,743	13,206	12,146
Capital spending									195	210	226
Reconstructive
Net sales									4,004	3,823	3,710
Depreciation and amortization									273	271	267
Income taxes									347	344	375
Segment net earnings (loss)									970	936	926
Total assets	6,675				3,654				6,675	3,654	3,758
MedSurg
Net sales									3,359	3,265	3,160
Depreciation and amortization									84	85	84
Income taxes									148	177	165
Segment net earnings (loss)									621	603	535
Total assets	3,382				2,996				3,382	2,996	2,358
Neurotechnology and Spine
Net sales									1,658	1,569	1,437
Depreciation and amortization									135	122	119
Income taxes									82	76	63
Segment net earnings (loss)									283	267	221
Total assets	3,147				2,600				3,147	2,600	2,245
Other
Depreciation and amortization									19	8	11
Income taxes									(115)	(110)	(106)
Segment net earnings (loss)									(258)	(246)	(234)
Total assets	2,539				3,956				2,539	3,956	3,785
Total
Income taxes									462	487	497
Segment net earnings (loss)									$ 1,616	$ 1,560	$ 1,448
Reconstructive | Reconstructive
Capital spending									89	87	119
MedSurg | MedSurg
Capital spending									59	51	56
Neurotechnology and Spine | Neurotechnology and Spine
Capital spending									16	53	27
Other | Other
Capital spending									31	19	24