Question

What is the purpose of the menisci found in your knee, jaw, shoulders, and wrists? Why might there be a meniscus there but not, say, for your skull joints? Why might menisci be found in other joints in other animals?

Answer 1

Answer: I believe Meniscus tears are not healed on their own.

Explanation:

Because the two most common causes of a meniscus tear are due to traumatic injury (often seen in athletes) and degenerative processes (seen in older patients who have more fragile cartilage). The most common mechanism of a traumatic meniscus tear occurs when the knee joint is flexed and the knee is then twisted.  The meniscus tear can only be surgically removed. However, in some cases people can live with the meniscus tear without any problem. Also, there are exercises that lessen the symptoms of this problem. The most common symptoms of a meniscus tear are: Knee pain, Knee swelling, Tenderness when pressing the meniscus, Popping or clicking inside the knee, Limited knee joint movement.

Answer 2

The menisci allow unique mobility throughout a normal range of knee motion, which aid in joint stability and accommodates the large range of motion at the knee joint. Additional functions include lubrication, nutrition, and proprioception. They act as shock absorbers and stabilize the knee. So they are found in your most used and strongest joints like the jow, elbows, shoulders, knees, and wrists. We don't find menici in skull joint because they don't move, they don't need all the extra support. Menisci may be found in other joints in animals because the way they walk and operate is different from us, they need support in different areas than we do.