Objective To investigate the guiding role of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) in surgery for brain tumor in the motor area, and to further guide clinical surgery and rehabilitation of limb function after surgery.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 32 patients with brain tumor in the motor area who were admitted to our hospital from September 2013 to June 2016. DTT was performed in all patients before surgery to understand the relationship between tumor and peripheral nerve fibers and then the surgical planning was made. The preoperative and postoperative recovery of limb function was evaluated early. All patients were followed up for more than 6 months.Results All the 32 patients were discharged, and the recovery of limb function after 3 months was consistent with the evaluation results of early DTT.Conclusions By early understanding of the relationship between nerve fibers and tumor in the motor area, DTT can accurately evaluate the long-term recovery of limb function after surgery to effectively guide clinical rehabilitation.