Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of accounting changes					$ (759)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017			$ 37	$ 1,496	8,986	$ (553)	$ 14
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017			374.4
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans				(32)
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans (in shares)			1.2
Repurchase of common stock				(7)	(293)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			(1.9)
Share-based compensation				29
Net earnings (loss)	$ 443				443		0
Cash dividends declared					(176)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	43					43
Interest purchased							(6)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	9,223	$ 9,214	$ 37	1,486	8,201	(510)	9
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018			373.7
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							1
Cumulative effect of accounting changes					0
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	11,730		$ 37	1,559	10,765	(631)	0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018			374.4
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans			$ 0	(48)
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans (in shares)			1.3
Repurchase of common stock			$ 0	(8)	(299)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			(1.9)
Share-based compensation				35
Net earnings (loss)	412				412		0
Cash dividends declared					(195)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	66					66
Interest purchased							0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 11,693	$ 11,693	$ 37	$ 1,538	$ 10,683	$ (565)	0
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019			373.8
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							$ 0