A 25-year-old male presents with dizziness and unsteadiness that began a few days after a bumper car accident at an amusement park. He recalls his head being jerked back and forth during the collision. What could be the potential cause, and how would you proceed?
This patient's symptoms could be the result of a whiplash injury, particularly an injury to the vestibular apparatus or the cervical proprioceptors, both of which can cause dizziness and a sense of unsteadiness. The management of this patient should include a detailed neurological examination to rule out any other associated injuries. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which involves exercises that help retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system, might be beneficial.