The inability to stand for more than 5 minutes has several causes that are mostly related to weakness in the lower back and weakness of the legs: (1) Vertebral fusion. My mother was wheelchair bound in her later years because of vertebral fusion. (2) Weak kidneys and weak liver according to traditional Chinese medical theory. (3) Muscular atrophy of the leg muscles. (4) Extremely poor circulation in the legs. (5) Very weak knees due to arthritis in the knee joints. (6) Extremely weak ankles due to edema in the ankle joints. (7) If the fetus during pregnancy is allowed to grow too large inside the womb, the pregnant mother may not be able to stand for more than 5 minutes at a time. (8) Arthritis in the hip joints or pelvic bones. (9) A curved spine. (10) Twisted lower back muscles after playing golf. (11) Shock to the sciatic nerve from impact. An example of this is playing volley ball barefoot on hard ground or a hard surface. One jumps up to hit the ball and then the heels hit the ground. The impact shocks the nerves in the heel and renders the person unable to stand. After recovery from the initial shock, the person may not be able to stand for more than 5 minutes even 12 to 18 months later and has to use a walker to walk. During that period, there is constant fear that one will take a step and fall down because of the extreme weakness in the legs resulting from the initial shock to the sciatic nerve.