This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To evaluate the effectiveness of implanting bone scaffolding materials (bone grafts or bone substitutes) into bony defects resulting from fracture of the distal radius in skeletally mature people.

More specifically, we will compare the effectiveness of:

• implanting bone scaffolding versus conservative treatment or surgical fixation (percutaneous pinning or external fixation or combinations of these);

• implanting bone scaffolding used in conjunction with any method of surgical fixation versus the same method of surgical fixation alone;

• different methods of bone scaffolding;

• different types and durations of immobilisation after bone scaffolding.

We will consider outcome primarily in terms of patient‐assessed functional outcome and satisfaction, and other measures of function and impairment, pain and discomfort, the incidence of complications, anatomical deformity and use of resources.

If data allow it, we plan to study the outcomes in different age groups and for different types of fractures, especially whether they are extra‐articular or intra‐articular.