A 35-year-old male presents with neck pain and tingling sensation in his left hand following a sports accident one week ago where he experienced a forceful back-and-forth motion of the neck. What could be the potential cause, and how would you proceed?
The neck pain combined with the tingling sensation in his hand following a forceful jolt suggests a whiplash injury with possible nerve involvement. The tingling could be due to nerve root irritation from the injury. A careful neurological examination should be conducted, paying particular attention to the upper limbs for any signs of motor or sensory deficits. Depending on the clinical suspicion, further evaluation with imaging studies such as an MRI of the cervical spine may be needed. Pain control and physical therapy would likely be beneficial, and referral to a specialist might be considered based on the severity of the symptoms.