CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2017 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 147	$ 68,687	$ 150,342	$ (31,628)	$ 187,548	$ 1,140	$ 188,688
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	14,733			(2,215)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of restricted stock	$ 0	0	0	$ 0	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)	63
Compensation expense - equity-based awards	$ 0	3,410	0	0	3,410	0	3,410
Transfer of compensation liability for certain stock issued pursuant to long-term incentive plans	0	165	0	0	165	0	165
Distribution to non-controlling interest partners	0	0	0	0	0	(3,682)	(3,682)
Contributions from non-controlling interest partners	0	0	0	0	0	40	40
Dividends declared to USPH shareholders	0	0	(7,547)	0	(7,547)	0	(7,547)
Net income	0	0	14,907	0	14,907	3,956	18,863
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 147	$ 72,262	$ 157,702	$ (31,628)	$ 198,483	$ 1,454	$ 199,937
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017	14,796			(2,215)