Duchess, most feet do respond well to barefoot shoes because they help t strengthen the supporting muscles. Unfortunately, when feet are severely hypermobile to the point of severe over-pronation, muscle tone enough isn't enough and more lasting damage can be done to unsupported joints, in the meantime.
My toes love a bit of time in a barefoot shoe. I had to get rid of my Vivi barefoot shoes, though, gorgeous as they were, as I kept falling over in them. I'm doing better in some cute Nike free 5.0 as they have a little arch support built in, but I can't Galway with them on consecutive days. I need something a lot more structured like dart 11 or a nice sturdy (but not stiff, or they shred my feet) boot.
The sole also makes a difference. No dainty rounded soles, like Clark's seem to be so fond of in woman's shoes. I need stability. When I try on shoes, I deliberately stand on my wobbly foot. If can't hold it for a second or two, it's a don't buy because it's not doing the job I need it to.
And by virtue of the fact that I can walk 5km without fatigue, I've built up my calf muscles, anyhow. I d reached a point where there was an inch difference in calf circumference between my OK and bad foot. I've managed reduce it to half an inch, by wearing the right footwear.