Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the tibial periosteum this traction technique in the treatment of diabetic foot. Methods A total of 25 patients with diabetic foot (30 affected limbs) treated in the First Hospital of Longyan from September 2021 to October 2023 were selected as study subjects. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (13 cases, 15 affected limbs) and a control group (12 cases, 15 affected limbs). The control group received conventional treatment, while the experimental group underwent tibial periosteum traction surgery in addition to conventional treatment. All patients received a 3-month follow-up. The ulcer healing rate, limb salvage rate, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, foot skin temperature, toe oxygen saturation, ankle-brachial index (ABI), and quality of life (SF-36) scores were compared between the two groups after 3 months of treatment. Results The ulcer healing rate (100%) and limb salvage rate (93.33%) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (66.67% and 53.33%, respectively, P ＜ 0.05). After treatment, improvements in the VAS score, foot skin temperature, toe oxygen saturation, ABI, and SF-36 scores in the experimental group were significantly greater than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05). No serious complications occurred during the treatment period in any of the groups. Conclusions The tibial periosteum distraction technique can effectively improve ulcer healing and limb salvage rates in diabetic foot patients, enhance local blood circulation, reduce pain, and improve the quality of life, making it an ideal method for treating diabetic foot.