While prices can vary, here’s a general idea of the X-ray cost in Australia:

• Basic X-ray: $80 to $150

• Specialised X-ray (such as spinal): $150 to $300

If you have a Medicare card and the service is bulk-billed, there’s no cost at all. However, if the provider does not bulk bill, you might pay the full price upfront, and then Medicare will refund a portion of the cost. Depending on the rebate, the out-of-pocket expenses for a standard X-ray may range from $30 to $70.

If you’re wondering how much does an MRI Cost in Australia? The average cost of an MRI in Australia is $375 out of pocket, and no rebate from Medicare if the referral is written by a health professional other than a Surgeon or Specialist. However, suppose a Specialist or Surgeon refers the patient for an MRI, than the cost may be reduced, however the patient will have to pay for the surgeon or specialist appointment as well.

If you’re wondering how much does a CT Scan cost in Australia? The average cost of a CT Scan in Australia is $100 to $195 out of pocket for a CT Scan. This can vary, depending on the location of the CT Scan. For example a CT Scan of the lumbar spine, can attract a Medicare rebate of $195, so the final cost will depend on the provider of the radiology services and their charges out of pocket for the CT Scan.

However, it is a good idea for a patient needing a CT Scan of musculoskeletal issues (lumbar spine, elbow, wrists etc) to see a health professional in order to get the referral written and notes placed on the CT Scan referral for the radiologist to see, so they know what to look for in the scan. A CT Scan is only as good as the radiologist who analyses the scan, and therefore a targetted scan with an area to analyse will yield the best results.

If you’re wondering how much does a Cortisone Injection cost in Australia? The average cost of an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection into the shoulder is $365 out of pocket, and no rebate from Medicare if the referral is written by a health professional other than a General Practitioner (GP). However, suppose a General Practitioner refers the patient for a joint-related cortisone injection. In that case, the cost will be approximately $365, but Medicare will rebate and pay back $125, so the patient will be $240 out of pocket.

However, it’s really important that a patient sees a health professional such as a Physiotherapist prior to seeing a GP for a cortisone injection. The Physiotherapist will write to the GP and ask specifically for them to refer for an Ultrasound guided cortisone injection into the shoulder muscles and tendons causing pain, rather than just a general cortisone injection done by the GP without a scan or not with a present ultrasound. This is important because even though it is more expensive, the cortisone is administered whilst a radiologist observes the patients soft tissues and tendons under ultrasound, this usually means the cortisone can be administered directly into the most affected area to provide pain relief to the problem structures, rather than just generally into the shoulder.

If you’re wondering how much does an Ultrasound Cost in Australia? The average Ultrasound Cost in Australia is $100 - $150 out of pocket following a referral from a health professional. This also depends on the location of the ultrasound on the body, as well as the imaging centre. However, it is important to note, that this is the price for a musculoskeletal ultrasound scan cost, not the price for pregnancy ultrasounds, as this is different and done by specialist clinics designed to accommodate and ultrasound women during their pregnancy.

The short answer is yes, you should keep lifting with shoulder pain. However, this depends on several factors. Firstly, if the pain is new, and hasn’t been caused by acute damage or an incident where you developed strong pain, then you should keep training and lifting but modify the movement. A Physio will be best placed to guide you here, but for example if you’re having pain overhead pressing a dumbbell, which can caused by a few factors, then we would encourage our patients and athletes to move to pressing at 45degrees with something like a landmine press if it is not painful. This will allow the irritated area to rest, whilst still maintain load through the shoulder and allowing other muscles to develop to protect your shoulder.