For the more than 330.000 patients/year with primary total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) in Germany alone, postoperative rehabilitation either on an inpatient or follow-up outpatient basis is largely accepted as standard, despite limited financial resources. The present article discusses the necessary diagnostic and therapeutic measures in the immediate postoperative phase in the hospital or clinic, the so-called post-inpatient phase in a rehabilitation clinic or centre, as well as the subsequent outpatient phase with consistent and regular specialist follow-up.