Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 28,603	$ 31,508	$ 19,360	$ 10,606	$ 12,740	$ 468	$ 2,682	$ 10,824	$ 90,077	$ 26,714	$ 23,012
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap									(251)	(8,590)	(3,641)
Total comprehensive income									89,826	18,124	19,371
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests									(177)	(178)	(99)
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders									89,649	17,946	19,272
Medical Properties Trust, Inc.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									90,077	26,714	23,012
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap									(251)	(8,590)	(3,641)
Total comprehensive income									89,826	18,124	19,371
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests									(177)	(178)	(99)
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders									89,649	17,946	19,272
Subsidiary Issuers
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									90,077	26,731	23,087
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap									(251)	(8,590)	(3,641)
Total comprehensive income									89,826	18,141	19,446
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests									(177)	(178)	(99)
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders									89,649	17,963	19,347
Subsidiary Guarantors
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									146,123	96,993	72,794
Other comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive income									146,123	96,993	72,794
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders									146,123	96,993	72,794
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									20,825	13,182	15,818
Other comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive income									20,825	13,182	15,818
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders									20,825	13,182	15,818
Eliminations
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									(257,025)	(136,906)	(111,699)
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap									251	8,590	3,641
Total comprehensive income									(256,774)	(128,316)	(108,058)
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests									177	178	99
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders									(256,597)	(128,138)	(107,959)
Total Consolidated
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income									90,077	26,714	23,012
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap									(251)	(8,590)	(3,641)
Total comprehensive income									89,826	18,124	19,371
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests									(177)	(178)	(99)
Comprehensive income attributable to MPT common stockholders									$ 89,649	$ 17,946	$ 19,272