A 30-year-old female presents with neck pain and stiffness one day after a rear-end collision. She denies loss of consciousness or other injuries. What are the possible diagnoses and next steps?
This patient's symptoms are suggestive of a whiplash injury, a common consequence of rear-end motor vehicle collisions. The pain and stiffness result from the sudden hyperextension and flexion of the neck during the accident. The main concern is to rule out any significant injury to the spine or the spinal cord. Initial steps should include a thorough physical examination focusing on neurological signs. Depending on the clinical suspicion, radiological studies like X-rays or a CT scan of the cervical spine may be required.