-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Vtwrfr9JobfmgcrThdN/41WvxCowW43jlb6IMejdfYEWQpz37Y7DF3OucueC4Urh
 vO6aj0CAnmsZyk5+kkfXXA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001239353-03-000001.txt : 20030723
<SEC-HEADER>0001239353-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030723
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030723164928
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001239353-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030723
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030723

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STRYKER JON L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001239353

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-09165
		FILM NUMBER:		03798749

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O STRYKER CORP
		STREET 2:		2725 FAIRFIELD ROAD
		CITY:			KALAMAZOO
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2693837325

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STRYKER CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000310764
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				381239739
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2725 FAIRFIELD ROAD
		CITY:			KALAMAZOO
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2693852600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 4085
		CITY:			KALAMAZOO
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49003-4085
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-23</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000310764</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STRYKER CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SYK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001239353</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STRYKER JON L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-23</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>100000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>74.1818</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>18874320</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>By Trusts.</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person is a member of a five-person advisory committee that has full voting and disposition power with respect to 42,906,370 shares held by the L. Lee Stryker Irrevocable Trust dated 9-10-74.  The reporting person is the benefical owner of 13,925,812 of such shares as beneficiary of the Trust.  The reporting person holds 4,948,508 share as settlor of a revocable trust.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jon L. Stryker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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