Which two nerves are most at risk during a lateral ankle ligament operation?

During a lateral ankle ligament operation, the sural nerve and the superficial peroneal nerve are indeed the nerves most at risk. The sural nerve is responsible for sensation on the outer side of the foot and ankle, while the superficial peroneal nerve provides sensory innervation to the dorsal aspect of the foot. Both of these nerves are in close proximity to the lateral ligaments of the ankle, making them vulnerable during surgical procedures aimed at repairing or reconstructing these ligaments.

Surgeons typically need to navigate carefully around these nerves to avoid damage, as injury to them can lead to sensory deficits and complications post-surgery. The other options involve nerves that are either located further away from the surgical field or not involved in the innervation of the lateral ankle, thus making them less relevant to this specific procedure.