Segment and Geographic Data Segment and Geographic Data (Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 22,197	$ 20,435	$ 16,223
Capital Expenditures During Period	598	490	270
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	21,350	19,730	15,394
Capital Expenditures During Period	382	307	212
Operating Segments | Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	7,486	7,048	6,149
Capital Expenditures During Period	138	153	95
Operating Segments | MedSurg
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	9,759	8,553	5,341
Capital Expenditures During Period	194	129	89
Operating Segments | Neuro and Spine
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	4,105	4,129	3,904
Capital Expenditures During Period	50	25	28
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	847	705	829
Capital Expenditures During Period	$ 216	$ 183	$ 58