A fifth-grade boys basketball coach himself, Thomas Muzzonigro knows first-hand what kind of training and medical problems can occur on teams at that level.

Only he knows what to do about it — and he wants to share that knowledge with others.

Muzzonigro, an orthopedic surgeon with Tri Rivers Surgical Associates in Butler, is joining forces with Alexander Ward in hosting a coaches clinic for area community-level coaches Feb. 25 at the Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford.

Ward is director of physical therapy for Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy.

"A lot of Little League and youth coaches in various sports are parents of the kids or just volunteers helping out," publicist Dave Marko said. "They don't know proper training methods or exactly what to do if a child is injured.

"This clinic is for those coaches. It's the first of its kind in this area."

The clinic runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and is free of charge. Muzzonigro said more than 100 area coaches have already registered.

Registration is required as seating is limited. Call 412-367-0600 or 1-866-874-7483 to register. Deadline is Feb. 13.

"My wife (Debbie) coaches youth volleyball and we have friends who coach," Muzzonigro said. "I get phone calls from time to time about how to treat this, what to do about that.

"I figured it's time we gave a basic clinic on how to take care of these young athletes."

Youth softball, baseball and soccer will be targeted, but coaches from all sports are welcome. The clinic will discuss how to incorporate training techniques to help teams play safely, assessing and treating common sports injuries and instilling good sportsmanship in the next generation of athletes.

Muzzonigro said he has treated numerous young athletes for stress fractures and tendinitis that result from over-use.

"Under no circumstances should children be encouraged to play with an injury, but it goes on," he said.

Baseball pitchers ages 8-10 are permitted to throw 40 to 60 pitches twice a week. Once they are 11 or 12, that number rises to 50 to 80 pitches.

A child should not throw a change-up until age 10 and should not throw a curve-ball until age 14, Muzzonigro said.

"The skeletal maturity just isn't there at a young age," Muzzonigro said. "Throwing a curve causes stress to the inside of the elbow. Too much stress there results in a need for Tommy John surgery."

The surgeon said young basketball players can develop Severs Disease, or excess stress on the heel caused by the constant impact on a hard surface. Runners can develop the same problem.

"I try not to use the word disease because parents freak out when they hear it," Muzzonigro said. "It's simply the result of over-use.

"Something like a chin splint becomes dangerous, though, because if the bone breaks all the way through, it can take a year or two to fully heal."

Muzzonigro addressed the concussion issue in football by stating that some people are more susceptible to concussions than others.

And while college and pro football players bounce back rather quickly from such an injury, kids are different.

"It takes a kid one year to fully recover from a concussion," Muzzonigro said. "That's why teaching proper tackling technique is so important. There is a safe way to play football.

"Take (Denver Bronco safety) John Lynch and the way his helmet consistently hits into players. Somehow, he doesn't get concussed. His brain doesn't get torque. He's one of those guys who doesn't get hurt, but others do. And kids try playing the way football is played on TV."

Sprains and strains to knees, wrists, ankles and shoulders are common youth sports injuries.

Many can be prevented through proper preparation, such as diet and pre and post-game stretching.

"The body has to be prepared to play," Muzzonigro said. "I've seen kids with eating disorders and stretching before and after physical activity really does help.

"Routine injury prevention is the best medical treatment there is."