Segment Information (Sales And Other Financial Information By Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,516	$ 3,241
Segment operating income	528	591
Acquisition and integration-related charges	(138)	(17)
Amortization of intangible assets	(114)	(102)
Recall-related matters	(13)	(4)
Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,250	1,216
MedSurg
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,544	1,427
Neurotechnology and Spine
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	722	598
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,516	3,241
Segment operating income	1,013	908
Operating Segments \| Orthopaedics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,250	1,216
Segment operating income	437	429
Operating Segments \| MedSurg
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,544	1,427
Segment operating income	377	301
Operating Segments \| Neurotechnology and Spine
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	722	598
Segment operating income	199	178
Corporate and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income	(132)	(99)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition and integration-related charges	(138)	(17)
Amortization of intangible assets	(114)	(102)
Restructuring-related charges	(56)	(63)
Medical device regulations	(7)	0
Recall-related matters	(13)	(4)
Regulatory and legal matters	$ (25)	$ (32)

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