Stryker (SYK)

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

The information contained in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference.

SECTION 9 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)        Exhibits

            Exhibit 10.1                  Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005, among Stryker Corporation and certain subsidiaries, as designated borrowers, and Howmedica International S. de R.L., as the term loan borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender, offshore currency funding fronting lender and issuer of letters of credit, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, The Bank Of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., Chicago Branch, Barclays Bank Plc and PNP Paribas, as co-documentation agents, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Scotiabanc Inc., Mizuho Corporate Bank (USA), Société Générale and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as co-managing agents, and the other lenders party thereto, and Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers and joint book managers. 

 SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

STRYKER CORPORATION
(Registrant)

November 23, 2005                                                     /s/  DEAN H. BERGY             
Date                                                                             Dean H. Bergy
                                                                                    Vice President and
                                                                                    Chief Financial Officer
                                                                                    (Principal Financial Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX 

Exhibit 10.1                              Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005, among Stryker Corporation and certain subsidiaries, as designated borrowers, and Howmedica International S. de R.L., as the term loan borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender, offshore currency funding fronting lender and issuer of letters of credit, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, The Bank Of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., Chicago Branch, Barclays Bank Plc and PNP Paribas, as co-documentation agents, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Scotiabanc Inc., Mizuho Corporate Bank (USA), Société Générale and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as co-managing agents, and the other lenders party thereto, and Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers and joint book managers.