Most OTC patches have 4% lidocaine and I believe you can get stronger ones now by prescription. I had significant cervical pain and found the patches hard to use around the curves of neck/shoulder. If you've ever sewn, you'll remember how to make little darts to create a smooth curve and you may need to do that as well. I also learned that numbing creams marketed for tattoos are a nice alternative though in his case, the clothes could diminish the effects-I'm not sure. But overall, if this is deep nerve pain, I highly doubt he'd get significant relief. Is he on Lyrica or gabapentin? This must be incredibly difficult right at the time of his life when retirement offers new freedoms and opportunities. Have you seen top doctors at research Universities or Mayo itself? I feel horrible for him and you as well.