Severe left shoulder pain radiated to the scapula

Dear Ask The Doctor: Good Day! I would just like to ask about my father's condition.. He is experiencing numbing in his left arm for almost 2 months now. I am really worried. He'd been hospitalized for almost 1 week due to myocardial infarction last 2009. He said the pain is like it's eating his flesh, it's like burning pain. And also his shoulder blade is also painful. Well, he said his doctor said it is Arthritis. But honestly, I don't know if my father did go to his doctor. I am far away home. Please, I would really appreciate your reply? Is it really a signs of arthritis? Thank You so much! :) Please, I would really appreciate

Dear Mitch: The pain in the shoulder as you described it might be due to a rotator cuff tendinitis or a cervical nerve compression. In the older patients, cervical radiculopathy is often a result of spinal canal narrowing from bone (osteophyte) formation, decreased disc height and degenerative changes due to aging process or arthritis. The treatment strategy usually includes: physical therapy program aimed to reduce pain and inflammation, and the use of anti-inflammatory medication (as “Motrin”, “Aleve”), also a re-education of habits and posture, your father should be independent in a stretching and strengthening program and continue with these exercises under the periodic supervision of a physical therapist initially and then completely on his own. Often, he should show progressive improvement over the first 6-8 weeks with conservative treatment. If there is no significant improvement in this time frame, consider a reevaluation.