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				(41)
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans (in shares)			1.7
Repurchase of common stock				(7)	(293)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			(1.9)
Share-based compensation				87
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,485				1,485		0
Cash dividends declared					(527)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(51)					(51)
Interest purchased							(15)
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							1
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	9,860	$ 9,860	$ 37	1,535	8,892	(604)	0
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018			374.2
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of accounting changes					0
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2018			$ 37	1,503	8,477	(557)	0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018			374.0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans				2
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans (in shares)			0.2
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			0.0
Share-based compensation				30
Net earnings (loss)	590				590		0
Cash dividends declared					(175)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(47)					(47)
Interest purchased							0
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	9,860	9,860	$ 37	1,535	8,892	(604)	0
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018			374.2
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
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	(53)
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans (in shares)			1.9
Repurchase of common stock			$ 0	(8)	(299)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			(1.9)
Share-based compensation				95
Net earnings (loss)	1,358				1,358		0
Cash dividends declared					(586)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	78					78
Interest purchased							0
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	12,315	12,315	$ 37	1,593	11,238	(553)	0
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			374.4
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of accounting changes					0
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019			$ 37	1,569	10,967	(630)	0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019			374.1
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans			$ 0	(8)
Issuance of common stock under stock option and benefit plans (in shares)			0.3
Repurchase of common stock			$ 0
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			0.0
Share-based compensation				32
Net earnings (loss)	466				466		0
Cash dividends declared					(195)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	77					77
Interest purchased							0
Foreign currency exchange translation adjustment							0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 12,315	$ 12,315	$ 37	$ 1,593	$ 11,238	$ (553)	$ 0
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			374.4