Looser's zone

  • Looser’s zone refers to pseudofractures seen in osteomalacia
  • Also called Milkman’s line
  • Thin (about 2mm) radioluscent bands extending from the cortex inwards perpendicular to the bone surface
  • Origin is by incomplete stress fractures which heal with callus deficient in calcium
  • Most commonly seen in pubic rami, neck of femur, neck of humerus, axillary edge of scapula