Degenerative Disc disease is the term used to define the entire degenerative cascade of the disc in the spine. DDD is not truly a disease, but a process due to genetics, injury, wear and tear, and occupation. Individuals with DDD may or may not have symptoms. The most common symptom associated with DDD is back pain. Those within the spine industry refer to this as degenerative disc syndrome, but the general public understands it as degenerative disc disease.