Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Total Stryker shareholders' equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Non-controlling interest
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest							$ 0.0
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014			$ 38.0	$ 1,252.0	$ 7,559.0	$ (254.0)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	378.6
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans				8.0
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans, shares	1.8
Repurchase of common stock			(1.0)	(25.0)	(674.0)
Repurchase of common stock, shares	(7.4)
Share-based compensation				86.0
Net earnings	$ 1,439.0				1,439.0		0.0
Cash dividends declared					(532.0)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (385.0)					(385.0)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 8,511.0	37.0	1,321.0	7,792.0	(639.0)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015	373.0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 8,511.0						0.0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions							0.0
Interest purchased							0.0
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							0.0
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans				15.0
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans, shares	1.7
Repurchase of common stock				(1.0)	(12.0)
Repurchase of common stock, shares	(0.1)
Share-based compensation				97.0
Net earnings	$ 1,647.0				1,647.0		0.0
Cash dividends declared					(585.0)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(122.0)					(122.0)
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 9,550.0	9,550.0	37.0	1,432.0	8,842.0	(761.0)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016	374.6
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 9,550.0						0.0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions							0.0
Interest purchased							0.0
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							0.0
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans			0.0	(42.0)
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans, shares	1.7
Repurchase of common stock	$ (230.0)		0.0	(7.0)	(223.0)
Repurchase of common stock, shares	(1.9)
Share-based compensation				113.0
Net earnings	$ 1,020.0				1,020.0		0.0
Cash dividends declared					(653.0)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	208.0					208.0
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 9,966.0	$ 9,966.0	$ 37.0	$ 1,496.0	$ 8,986.0	$ (553.0)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017	374.4
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 9,980.0						14.0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions							114.0
Interest purchased							(99.0)
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							$ (1.0)