Fixation plates and screws are commonly used to promote stability and stiffness to fractures through the compression of bone fragments. However, the difference between the rigidity of an implant and the bone causes stress shielding, and can lead to excessive resorption in the vicinity of implants, thereby causing subsequent implant loosening and failure of fixation. In this study, finite element analysis (FEA) software is employed to generate a simplified three-dimensional model of a transverse femoral fracture affixed with a plate. The first model discussed in this paper is a validation study, proving the qualitative accuracy of using FEA, while the second model is one of increased fidelity and is used in a parametric study to delve into the effects of plate and screw parameters on the level of resultant stress shielding in bone underlying the plate. The models discussed reveal insight into the nature of applied fixation plates. Direct compression plating, although inherently stable, will cause stress shielding in bone and can result in bone loss, screw avulsion, and fixation failure. However, as seen in the parametric study, which is in agreement with previous works, a decrease in implant flexural rigidity, through a decrease in plate thickness and angle, will decrease the level of stress shielding present in a bone-implant system. As well, the importance of screw placement, implant materials, and the future use of FEA as a prospective tool is discussed.